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Farmer charged for allegedly driving over a man

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A Northern Cape farmer, who allegedly drove over a man with his 4×4 bakkie on his farm last Friday, remains in custody following the postponement of his bail application.

Johannes van Niekerk briefly appeared at the Hartswater Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

The 63-year-old farmer allegedly repeatedly used the K-word before driving over Shimmy Mosienyane. Van Niekerk is charged with attempted murder.

His bail application could not proceed as the investigating officer was absent. It’s alleged that the victim and his friend were running from police – following a protest at Hartswater and took a short cut through van Niekerk’s farm. They say the farmer stopped them and demanded to know what they were doing on his land.

The two friends claim the farmer hurled racial insults at them before he chased them with his bakkie and drove over Mosienyane. He is expected to undergo surgery this week.

The Economic Freedom Fighters demonstrated outside court, opposing bail.

“We are saying he must remain in custody he must be denied bail, in fact if the trial is next year he will appear next year coming from prison. Fortunately our state correctional service they have good facilities to take care of him inside it doesn’t need for him to be our side for him to think that he will be safe, or that he will get a proper meal. Our government takes tax monies are spent for this reason, hence we see that there’s an increase on the vat, it’s for such people who don’t respect the law,” says EFF Northern Cape executive member, Shadrack Tlhaole.

The case has been postponed to Thursday to give the investigating officer time to get a statement from the victim.

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