Acting Premier welcomes reinstatement of farm worker's murder trial
The reinstatement of the trial of two farmers alleged to have electrocuted a farm worker should ensure that his family finds closure and restore public confidence in the criminal justice system, North West Acting Premier Paul Sebegoe said on Thursday.
"Although the majority of farmers in our province treat their workers well, incidents of human right violation, worker abuse and disregard for the law by some farmers are an affront to our democracy and need to be stamped out. We hope that justice will be served and that appropriate action will be taken against those who sought to misrepresent the facts surrounding the case," Acting Premier Sebegoe stressed.
The trial resumed on Monday in the Vryburg Magistrates Court after new evidence by a state forensic pathologist was presented which contradicted testimony that Bakang Moleko had died of natural causes.
Sixty-nine -year- old Mathys Cloete and his son Danie, 34, were arrested on Monday 3 September 2012, after they allegedly assaulted, electrocuted and killed a farm worker Bakang Moleko, 24, and seriously injured Shadrack Anderson, 20.
The two suspects who had been out on R2 000 bail are facing charges of murder, attempted murder, assault and pointing a firearm.
The Cloetes' allegedly assaulted Moleko and Anderson after accusing the two of stealing tyres and 50 litre of diesel at their farm in Boshoek.
It is alleged that Danie choked one of them with a car battery booster cable after they refused to tell the truth. The deceased collapsed and Danie poured water on his face to wake him, but was certified died upon arriving at the local clinic.
Moleko's body was kept in a government mortuary for nine months due to postmortem disputes.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, Spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
