‘Dog eaters’ file complaint
Cops lay several criminal charges against private game farm owner’s son
TWO men allegedly forced to eat their dog by a man who believed they were illegally hunting in a private game reserve in Komgha have opened a case.
Police spokesman Captain Nkosikho Mzuku confirmed yesterday that Lwando Folokwe, 25, and Akhona Dyantyi, 35, had opened a case of attempted murder, pointing a firearm, assault and crimen injuria against Karl Krull, the manager of the Tyityaba Game Reserve.
The reserve is owned by Krull’s father, EV Krull.
Krull is the complainant in a case of illegal hunting brought against Folokwe and Dyantyi. The men are from Diya location outside Ndabakazi, about 45km from Komgha.
Police said the attempted murder charge related to an incident last Friday when Krull allegedly shot towards Folokwe and Dyantyi with a rifle. He allegedly also shot and killed the men’s dogs.
Krull allegedly pointed his firearm at the two men and ordered them to eat their dead dog. It is further alleged that he kicked and punched the two men. The case of crimen injuria stems from racial comments Krull allegedly made to the men.
Mzuku said the cases had been opened at the Komgha police station and were being investigated. “The two finally practised their right to lay a criminal charge,” said Mzuku.
The South African Human Rights Commission said it had been informed of the incident on Sunday by police. The commission’s senior Eastern Cape legal officer, Thabang Kheswa, said: “We were contacted by a general in the SAPS to say there are these allegations and if we would like to investigate we should.
“We always work with police on these matters, especially when there is a criminal element on the case.
“This is not a common thing, hence the shock. We are still going to get in touch with the complainants to see if a file should be opened,” Kheswa said. Folokwe and Dyantyi, covered in blood, were brought to the Komgha police station in the back of a bakkie by Krull and his labourer.
Quizzed by police about the blood, the men said they had been forced to eat their dog, which Krull had shot in the game reserve. They repeated the same allegations under oath in the Komgha Magistrate’s Court on Monday when they appeared on charges of illegal hunting.
The case has been postponed to Tuesday September 13 for a Director of Public Prosecution’s decision on whether to prosecute. The two have been released on warning. —