Farmer arrested for attempted murder
Mr Richard Hume, the son of a well-known game-farm owner in the area, Mr John Hume, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon after a poacher was shot on the family farm, Mauricedale.
MALALANE – Hume (31) faces a charge of attempted murder. He and three poaching suspects were arrested on the scene and appeared in the Malalane Court on Wednesday morning.
Mr Siso Nkhosi (28) and Mr Jabo Dlamini (38), were released on bail of R3 000 each. Hume was released on R5 000.
Police spokesman Const Bheki Nkosi commented, “Three of the suspects face charges of trespass, possession of dead game and illegal hunting, while Hume faces a charge of attempted murder. Two firearms were confiscated for further investigation.”
Mr Sabelo Maphungla (28) was shot and is currently in a critical condition in hospital.
It is alleged that the suspected poachers tried to flee when Hume fired a shot at the vehicle, wounding the driver, Maphungla.
According to police officials, they recovered one warthog carcass on the back of the Ford Bantam and one buck near the scene.
“We are keeping an eye on this investigation. The suspect in hospital is in a critical condition and the others have been released on bail.
They will appear in court again on October 23,” said Nkosi.
According to a witness, who preferred to remain anonymous, four men were killing and loading animals onto their bakkie in broad daylight.
“I drive past this farm almost every day and I look at this spot regularly, because of the buck that majestically feed there nearly all the time. I saw them pulling one animal through the fence and a little girl standing alongside the road, probably as a cover or distraction. I phoned the police and told them, and then phoned the owner who arrived at the scene.
“The suspects attempted to flee in the vehicle and the owner fired at them. The cops arrived and the owner cooperated peacefully, handing over his firearm. The young child (7) at the scene was allegedly the daughter of one of the poaching suspects.
