Cape Town – A Mpumalanga farmer accused of running over two children with his car and assaulting another after accusing them of theft was reportedly denied bail at the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Louis Johannes Grobler first appeared at the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on Monday, July 18 after he reportedly ran over two children with his car and assaulted another at his farm, reports said.
IOL said that the three children, whose parents worked at the farm, were fighting for their lives after sustaining serious injuries following the attack by the 41-year-old farmer on Friday, July 15.
According to Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, Grobler was arrested following an investigation after the matter was reported to the police, the report said.
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“According to the report, the suspect, Louis Johannes Grobler, allegedly ran over two minors as well as assaulted the third one after accusing them of theft. The children are aged 10, 11 and 13, and the incident is said to have occurred on Friday, July 15, 2022 at around 2pm at a farm in Ermelo. The matter was then reported to the police and, after an investigation was done, the man was arrested,” the report quoted Colonel Mdhluli as saying.
Reports said that tensions ran high outside the court, as community members protested claiming that the attack was racially motivated.
Grobler faced two counts of attempted murder and one of assault with an intention to cause grievous bodily harm, reported Sowetan Live.
Meanwhile, EFF provincial chairperson, Collen Sedibe described the incident as disrespectful to human life, adding that the party had embarked on a campaign to fight the abuse of farm workers and dwellers in the province, the report said.
“This act shows the disregard for human life, especially black lives who are farm dwellers. This man had the guts to run over innocent children who were out playing with friends and accused them of stealing,” the report quoted Sedibe as saying.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
