Ermelo farmer case: EXTENT of the three children’s INJURIES [Update]

The three young children who were mowed down and assaulted by an Ermelo farmer were badly injured.

THE ERMELO FARMER CASE HAS SPARKED TENSION IN THE COMMUNITY

According to police spokesperson Captain Carla Prinsloo, Ermelo police spokesperson said one of the children suffered a broken leg, and another child sustained minor injuries and was treated and discharged from the hospital.

The third child was allegedly slapped by the 41-year-old farmer, Louis Johannes Grobler.

It is not yet known if the children are boys or girls. The children are aged 10, 11, and 13 respectively.

The farmer is expected to appear in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court soon.

ONE CHILD SUFFERED A BROKEN LEG

Family members of the children along with EFF and ANC members are currently protesting outside the court.

A parent of one of the children spoke to the media outside court saying his child is fighting for her life in hospital and that he will insist that the farmer is denied bail.

“Last Friday, the children went to look for corn to feed the chickens. The farmer was done with farming for the day. He drove towards them and knocked them over with his car. I was at work when I was informed. I went to check on the child and she was badly hurt.

“As the family, we are hurt. Even during the last court appearance, one of the white farmers who I work for called me while I was in court to tell me that I was fired. We are hurt as a family because of these things that are happening.”

The father

THE FARMER ALLEGEDLY MOWED THEM DOWN WITH HIS BAKKIE

According to police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli, the farmer is facing two counts of attempted murder as well as an assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

“The farmer allegedly ran over the two minors and thereafter assaulted the third one after accusing them of theft. The incident is said to have occurred on Friday, 15 July 2022 around 14h00 at a certain farm in Ermelo. The matter was then reported to the police and after an investigation was done the man was immediately arrested the same afternoon.”

Colonel Donald Mdhluli

He furthermore said the farmer reportedly had his first court appearance on Monday, 18 July 2022 where the matter was postponed to Wednesday for a formal bail application.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Groblersdal teen assault: Man applied for bail, claims he was assaulted in prison

Meanwhile, the Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe, has condemned in the strongest possible terms, the incident.

THE INCIDENT HAS BEEN CONDEMNED

“If the court finds the suspect guilty, he must receive the maximum allowable sentence equivalent to the offenses committed. This will serve as a deterrent to other farmers not to infringe on the rights of workers and dwellers alike in farming communities. We should therefore allow the process to unfold and the case will be closely monitored.”

Vusi Shongwe

Shongwe urged community members who may have information regarding the matter to come forward and assist the police.

He has further called for calm in communities while the matter is being processed in court.

WATCH AS FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE CHILDREN SPEAK OUT

Watch video:

The community of Ermelo has vowed to bring bail proceedings at the local magistrate’s court to a standstill. Protesters have gathered ahead of the appearance of a farmer accused of attempting to kill two children. @mwelimasilela has the latest.

Watch: https://t.co/4UAQARKlv3 pic.twitter.com/iQWnjPfrWV

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 20, 2022

ALSO READ: Ermelo farmer case: EXTENT of the three children’s INJURIES [Update]