http://www.news24.com/SouthAfr...-farmworker-20170213


Warthog hunter arrested for killing farmworker

2017-02-13 09:17

Jenni Evans, News24

Polokwane - A 39-year old man was arrested for murder on Monday morning after a farmworker was shot dead during a hunting expedition.

"He was arrested this morning. He will appear in the Modimolle Magistrate's Court today [Monday]," said Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.



The man and a woman told police on Saturday night that they mistook the farmworker for an animal while they were out warthog hunting on Meisiesvlei farm near Tuinplaas.

According to police, they heard a noise in the bush and shot in its direction.

The farmworker was shot in the back and died.

He worked on a neighbouring farm.

Police have not released his name because they are trying to trace his family to break the news to them.

The couple was allowed to return to Pretoria after reporting it to police.

The provincial police commissioner was given the case docket and the initial proposed charge of culpable homicide was changed to murder.

Mojapelo said the police were ready for any outpouring of outrage in the community over the shooting.

http://reviewonline.co.za/1950...f-mistaken-identity/



Modimolle worker shot dead: hunter (39) remanded in custody

The 23-year-old farm worker was shot and killed during an alleged hunting incident on Saturday
22 mins ago

LIMPOPO -The 39-year-old man accused of shooting the killing farm worker over the weekend appeared today in the Modimolle Magistrate’s Court on a charge of murder.

The accused, Steven Hepburn, was arrested this morning (Monday) after the charge was changed from culpable homicide to that of murder, said Police Spokesperson, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.

The case has been postponed to 16 February for formal bail application. The accused remains in custody.

Mojapelo added that the deceased’s name is Jan Railo (23 ) and confirmed he was working at neighboring farm.

08:00

LIMPOPO – A 39-year-old suspect is expected to appear before the Modimolle Magistrate’s Court today on a charge of murder.

This follows the shooting and killing of a 23-year-old farm worker during an alleged hunting incident on Saturday evening.

“The hunters, a man and woman were allegedly hunting for warthogs “bosvarke” when they heard a movement nearby. The man then fired shots in the direction hitting the victim. It is alleged that when they reached the spot that they realised they shot a human being,” explained Mojapelo.

He added that the victim died on the scene. The police were called and the firearm used during the incident was taken for ballistic examination.

The case of culpable homicide has been changed to murder. The Provincial detectives have since taken over the investigations, said Police Spokesperson, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.

It is said the deceased worked on a neighbouring farm. His name will only be released once the next of kin have been informed.

12 February

LIMPOPO – The police are investigating a case of culpable homicide after a farm worker was shot and killed by hunters during an alleged incident of mistaken identity.

According to a statement issued by Police Spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, the said incident happened at around 20:30 yesterday evening on Meisiesvlei farm, Tuinplaas near Modimolle.

“The hunters, a man and woman were allegedly hunting for warthogs “bosvarke” when they heard movement nearby. The man then fired shots in the direction hitting the victim. It is alleged when they reached the spot they realised they shot a human being,” explained Mojapelo.

He added that the victim died on the scene. The police were called and the firearm used during the incident was taken for ballistic examination.

It is said the deceased worked on a neighbouring farm and could be aged 23 or 24-years-old, he said.

Police investigations are continue, concluded Mojapelo.

I wonder what the worker was doing on neighboring farm at night
And murder?
I can see manslaughter
Doesn't murder have to be planned? Or at least done with intent to harm?

The report wrongly interprets " Bosvarke " as warthogs. They were hunting Bushpigs.

If you shoot at a sound murder seems appropriate to me.

A loss of life in this situation is always terrible. However, I believe this man will be prosecuted more zealously than any of the killers of the landowners over the years.