North West MEC for Public Safety, Howard Yawa has assured Oupa Mokgalaladi (40), that the criminal justice system will protect farm workers against trigger-happy farmers who have no respect for the law and regard for the rights and lives of farm workers. MEC Yawa conveyed this message to Mokgalagadi when he visited him at the Mafikeng Provincial Hospital on Monday, morning before he went to theatre for surgery.
"Farmers should realise that, we are not in the wild-west where issues are resolved through the barrel of the gun. Being property owners does not give farmers the right to shoot at unarmed citizens who happen to be on their property for whatever reason" says MEC Yawa.
The Lichtenburg farmer who allegedly shot Mokgaladi last Thursday, forty nine years old Jan Wessel Van Der Berg appeared briefly at the Lichtenburg Magistrates Court on Monday to be charged with attempted murder. His case was remanded to Tuesday while he remains under police guard at General Delaray Hospital. Police traced him to the hospital on Friday when they wanted to arrest him as a suspect in the case. He has since been placed under police guard for arrest as soon as he is discharged.
Mokgalagadi was admitted to Mafikeng Provincial Hospital after allegedly being shot by Van Der Berg on Thursday afternoon for trespassing on his grazing camp. Mokgalagadi and a friend had taken a shortcut through the farmers' gracing camp on their way from Rooigrond to Kgomola village when they were allegedly spotted by some neighbouring farmers who were patrolling the area.
Van der Berg was allegedly informed of the trespassing and rushed to the grazing camp with his firearm. He allegedly questioned the two as to their presence on his property before opening fire on them, hitting Mokgalagadi in the right leg. His friend managed to escape unhurt.
Meanwhile, Yawa is planning an urgent engagement with farmers regarding strengthening the partnership in the war against crime, crime prevention measures, stock theft and violent attacks experienced in the farming communities.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 018 381 9171
Fax: 018 381 9164
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
