Farmer's widow sues police for R4m

2011-10-17 07:31

Johannesburg - A farmer's widow is suing the police for more than R4m for loss of spousal support after her husband died in a shooting incident involving policemen, according to a report.

On January 20, 2011 Babanango farmer Kobus de Vries, 54, died in a hail of police bullets after a stand-off with about 40 armed policemen at his farmhouse, IOL reported.

His widow, Rentia, is taking the minister of police to court to hold him accountable for the death.

In court papers filed this week by her legal representative, attorney Carel Taute, Rentia, a vet who has since moved to Somerset West, is asking for R4 008 000 to compensate her for the loss of spousal support.

She is also requesting interest on the amount.

Taute said that Rentia de Vries had been looked after by her husband to the tune of R200 000 a year. She did not work at the time, but had been forced to accept a poorly paying job since her husband’s death.

When news of the killing broke, police spokesperson Colonel Jay Naicker said the information at his disposal indicated that De Vries was shot when he fired at local police and tactical response team members after a stand-off at his farmhouse.

The legal matter now resides with the office of the state attorney, which has 20 court days to respond to the papers.

After that time they will note their defence, and at a time yet to be determined, pleadings will start.

- SAPA