Pic: (Prisoner’s cell)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

A murder case against farmer was postponed after he appeared before Koster Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Kornelius Geldenhuis, 48 allegedly shot dead a cyclist on Saturday after he accused him of theft.

North West police spokesperson, Captain Paul Ramaloko said that Salomon Quku(35) from Mountain View in Koster was fatally shot few kilometres away from Geldenhuis’s farm.

“Quku was riding his bicycle between Rustenburg and Koster road on Friday at around 4pm when he was confronted by the farmer. Geldenhuis allegedly shot him after accusing him of theft. Geldenhuis allegedly stopped the deceased and demanded to search him. The farmer’s house was broken into, and lost few portable items,” Ramaloko said.

Ramaloko said the farmer searched the man’s bag and allegedly found First Aid kit, a pillow, a cap and a pair of shoes which was said to be stolen from the farmer’s house.

“An altercation ensued between the farmer and the deceased. The farmer shot Quku twice, and the cyclist succumbed to the shot on the scene.  The farmer alerted the police and his firearm was confiscated.” he said.

Geldenhuis was granted a R5000 bail and his case was postponed until December 7.

Provincial South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) secretary, Packett Seaketso said that they condemned the fatal shooting of the cyclist in the strongest possible term.

“The use of violence without regard for the rule of law within our farming communities is worrying. Such horrendous acts of vigilantism should be discouraged and stamped out,” Seaketso said.

He further appealed for calm while the criminal justice system is dealing with the matter.

“We should not allow such acts of violence to undermine reconciliation, social cohesion and nation building efforts,” he added.

-TDN

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