Farmer ‘rammed home with tractor’

A DAIRY farmer embroiled in a labour dispute is facing a string of charges after allegedly repeatedly ramming a tractor into a home – seriously injuring a former employee.

The farmer‚ from Mossel Bay‚ was arrested on Sunday.

The dispute appears to have started in December when a farm worker and his wife were fired and subsequently lodged an unfair dismissal case against the farmer with the CCMA.

Elvin Booysen‚ chairman of a farm committee in the area‚ said the couple had been confronted by the farmer while fetching wood. “While that [CCMA] case was ongoing they continued to live on the farm,” he said.

“The farm is bordered by a river. The farmer confronted the couple, telling them that the river was his and they could not

He drove right through the house and threatened to kill them

remove the wood.”

The couple were allegedly assaulted during the confrontation which took place on February 25.

“Their house is next to a gravel road. When they heard the tractor approaching, they assumed it was driving along the road,” Booysen said.

“The farmer then drove right through the house. He threatened to kill them.

“They had been working for the farmer for more than a year.”

The couple‚ who he said were in shock after the incident‚ had been receiving food donations from the neighbours.

Southern Cape police spokesman Malcom Pojie said a case of assault had been opened after the incident.

“The suspect allegedly drove into the home of the victim multiple times with a tractor,” he said.

“The victim sustained multiple injuries and a case of assault was opened.

“The farmer was arrested on Saturday and will appear in court on charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm‚ malicious damage to property‚ common assault‚ illegal possession of firearms and attempted murder.”

Police found four firearms in his possession, Pojie said. – TimesLIVE