Farm owner denied bail

HERBERTSDALE farm owner George Frederick “Frik” Muller being denied bail sends a strong message to farm workers victimised in rural areas, says Hilton Levandal, the farmworker he allegedly attempted to kill.

Muller appeared in the Mossel Bay Magistrate’s Court last week, for the assault on Levandal and his wife Maria and the attempted destruction of their home by allegedly driving his tractor into it several times.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said: “George Frederick Muller currently faces charges of attempted murder, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possession of unlicensed firearms. The case has been postponed until April 12 for further investigation. Bail was denied.”

The relationship between the two men had soured, according to Levendal, after Muller attempted to evict him and his family.

Levendal said he struggled to find work because other farm owners did not want to hire him because of his past relationship with Muller.

“To tell the truth, I don’t regret what I did. He (Muller) will stay behind bars and this sends a strong message not just to the farm owners but especially the workers, that they don’t have to accept inhumane treatment. Farm owners talk about violence in rural areas, but what about the evictions and assault of farm workers by farmers,” said Levendal.

He said he could not attend the bail hearing as it meant he would have to travel 45km to Mossel Bay and he did not have money.

Independent Civic Organisation of SA (Icosa) provincial leader Dawid Kamfer said there was a great sense of relief in the Herbertsdale community.

“Frik Muller was denied bail on Thursday because the judge could not get concrete evidence that Hilton and his family would be safe if he was granted bail.”

He said the violence experienced by farm workers and dwellers from farm owners tended to go unreported and was swept under the rug.