Farmer on trial over ‘pointing gun’ at tenant
Durban — Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen says farm workers and farmers are the country’s greatest assets who must live side by side in harmony.
Steenhuisen said farmers must realise there will be no farming without workers and farm workers too must know that there will be no farm without a farmer.
Steenhuisen was commenting after farmer Gregory Walsh made another brief appearance in the Richmond Magistrate’s Court in KwaZulu-Natal, on Thursday, for allegedly pointing a firearm at one of his tenants, Zanele Mkhize.
The case was postponed to August 22 for the State to provide the defence with certain information.
The State also offered the accused an opportunity to reach out to the complainant for an out-of-court settlement.
Walsh was arrested in June and is currently out on R1000 bail.
According to Zanele, she had collected wood after Walsh had granted her permission to hire a truck to collect the bundles of wood.
While on their way back home with the woods she said Walsh stopped them, drew his gun and pointed it at her, shouting at her to leave his wood. However, he let them carry on with it.
Mkhize and her family live on Mona Glen farm in Richmond.
Speaking to the Daily News outside court, Zanele and her mother Zibusile Mkhize said they feared for their lives, claiming that Walsh was harassing them and was violating his bail condition.
Zanele alleges that, a few weeks ago, Walsh stopped his car next to them while they were walking on the road and allegedly told them they must leave his farm because they opened a case against him.
“I am still traumatised by the incident and Walsh continues to scare me. I ask for protection; during the bail hearing Walsh said he would go and live in
Pietermaritzburg until the case was completed, but I don't know what happened to that condition as he is always on his farm,” said Zanele.
Zibusile said the entire family was feeling unsafe because Walsh entered her home and although he did not ask for Zanele, they felt threatened by his presence since the incident.
Zibusile said she was disturbed by Walsh’s action since she personally raised him as his minder while working for his family as a domestic worker for years.
“I never expected this from this man. I raised him but today he is doing this to my daughter,” said Sibusile.
Responding to the complainant, prosecutor Sindiswa Ngcobo said leaving his farm was never part of the bail conditions for the accused, but was offered by the defence during the bail hearing.
Ngcobo directed Zanele to make a statement to the investigating officer with regard to the harassment allegations.
Steenhuisen said, “It’s an unfortunate incident. It is an isolated incident as there are many farmers and farm workers who are living in harmony.
“Although we don’t have the full details, the incident must unashamedly be condemned.”
WhatsApp your views on this story to 071 485 7995.
Daily News