Rustenburg – Farmers’ organisation TAU SA on Monday expressed concern over the possibility that two farmers who shot dead two alleged robbers near Leeudoringstad in the North West police might have to stand trial for the shooting.
“They only protected their own people and community, which they did successfully,” Deputy President Henry Geldenhuys said in a statement.
“To prosecute those people will send the completely wrong message to criminals,” he said.
The farmers shot the alleged robbers on Saturday after they were alerted through a panic button that another farmer in the area had been shot dead.
Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said on Monday investigations were underway to determine if action would be taken against the farmers.
“Murder cases into the matter have been opened and once investigations are conducted, the court will decide whether the neighbours will be charged,” Mokgwabone said.
Three men tied up two workers, a man and a woman, on the farm Droekraal in the area on Saturday afternoon.
When the farm owner arrived a few minutes later he was shot dead. The men allegedly put him in the boot of his car and fled the scene. The two employees managed to untie themselves and pressed a panic button which alerted the neighbouring farmers.
One of them saw the men leave in the farmer’s vehicle and contacted another farmer in the area.
They gave chase and a shoot-out ensued about 30km from Makwassie.
Two of the alleged robbers died on the scene and the third was arrested…
South Africa Today – South Africa News
