Rubber bullets fired outside court
Police used force against people protesting against alleged assault of girl, 9, by two farmers.
Prosecutor and NPA staff pelted by rocks and bottles as they explain.
Police fired dozens of rubber bullets and stun grenades at hundreds of Bronkhorstspruit residents who were protesting outside the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court during the appearance of two white farmers who allegedly assaulted a nine-year-old black child.
The shooting left the mother and brother of the victim in hospital after they were shot in the leg at close range while laying defencelessly on the floor.
Hundreds of ANC and EFF supporters were enraged to learn that the alleged perpetrators, farmers Johannes Potgieter, 33, and co-accused Hendrick Dumas, 48, were released on bail by the High Court in Pretoria last month.
The duo face charges of attempted murder, kidnapping, assault with the intention to cause grievous bodily harm and pointing a firearm after they allegedly tied the little girl to a tree while pointing a rifle at her in September. The Grade 5 pupil was captured by the accused when she was walking her dog with her younger brother and two friends, who managed to escape the attack.
Yesterday, after the matter was postponed to March 13 next year, a mob gathered, awaiting chief prosecutor Matric Luphondo to give an explanation of the ruling.
But while Luphondo and NPA staff walked out of the court, they were pelted by rocks and bottles. The police responded by firing ruber bullets at the crowd.
The father of the victim, Jack Legodi, said he was disappointed that police turned on those who supported his family, including his wife and son.
“They shot my wife and son. How am I going to tell my daughter her mother and brother were shot while attending her case? Where is the justice in this?” –