Farmworker tells of harrowing ordeal

OUTSHOORN farmworker Peter de Bruyn has detailed a harrowing ordeal in which he and his wife were attacked, allegedly by a farmer, saying that it remained a mystery how they survived.

The Volmoed resident whom Oudtshoorn police had incorrectly referred to as Isaak Lukas, sustained injuries to his ribs, back and right knee after the farmer allegedly bumped him with a red Isuzu bakkie before opening fire on his wife, Maria de Bruyn.

The 51-year-old De Bruyn was admitted to hospital and discharged on Monday.

Du Bruyn said the farmer had alleged he and two other men were trespassing.

He said he and two friends were crossing a piece of veld used by the community for years.

“He ran me over. I was in pain and he was yelling as he stood over me, pointing his gun at me.

‘‘The other two had managed to get out of the way but he threatened them with the gun and shot at my wife when she and my son ran to see if I was okay,” said De Bruyn.

He said it was not a significant piece of land, no farming was happening on it and the owner lived in town.

“I was taken to hospital for X-rays for my back. My ribs and right knee are paining and I have to use crutches,” he told the Cape Times yesterday.

The farmer, whose name the police did not release, was arrested on Sunday, but was admitted to hospital on the advice of his personal physician, said Oudtshoorn police spokesperson Captain Louis Visser.

He was placed under police guard at Oudtshoorn Hospital, said Visser.

The farm owner, facing three charges of attempted murder, was released on R5 000 bail after appearing in Oudtshoorn Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

“It pains me to hear this man has been released on bail so quickly, when he could have taken me and my wife from our children,” said De Bruyn.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said: “He (the farmer) is facing three to four counts of attempted murder and pointing a firearm.

“Bail was set at R5 000 with conditions which include that he must surrender all firearms in his possession and that he must not make contact, directly or indirectly, with any of the witnesses.”

The case was postponed to April 19 for further investigation, Ntabazalila said.

Oudtshoorn community leader Leon Campher said he and other community members went to the Oudtshoorn Magistrate’s Court as they learned the suspect would appear.

“We found out that it was in fact his bail hearing, when normally suspects remained behind bars for up to seven days.

‘‘Then we were told he was even granted R5 000 bail.

“Has he received special treatment because he has money and is white, as no other suspect has been granted bail in such a quick turnaround?” asked Campher.

He said they would approach the prosecutor and police as they were outraged at the “preferential treatment” the farmer had received.

Independent Civic Organisation of SA provincial leader Dawid Kamfer said his party would assist the Oudtshoorn community, as it was unacceptable that the suspect be treated differently to any other suspect.

The incident comes less than a month after a farmer in Herbertsdale near Mossel Bay was arrested and charged for assaulting Hilton Levendal and his wife Hester.

The farm owner had allegedly attempted to demolish the Levendal family home by driving his tractor into it several times, causing the roof to cave in.

He ran me over. I was in pain and he was yelling, pointing his gun at me