MALALANE – A well-known Malelane game-farm owner’s son,
Mr Richard Hume appeared in the Malelane Magistrate’s Court on charges of attempted murder.
On September 24 Hume and three suspected poachers were arrested on the farm, one having being critically injured by a gunshot wound to the head. It is alleged that Hume fired the shot which injured one of the suspects. Police confiscated two firearms for further investigation.
The three men face charges of trespassing, possession of dead game and illegal hunting.
According to a witness who wishes to remain anonymous, he saw the men “tugging and pulling a buck, trying to get it through the fence, which borders the property”.
The witness phoned the police and Hume to inform them of the situation, and both parties rushed to the scene. “Hume arrived first,” said the witness. The men quickly attempted to flee in a vehicle with one dead buck, and the farmer fired at the vehicle, injuring one of them.
The trial has been postponed to January 8.
Hume and his wife declined to comment.
Meanwhile the Times Live website reported that the father of the accused, Mr John Hume, who is the biggest private owner of rhino, believed the law was stacked against rhino owners. According to him sometimes property owners have to risk their lives to protect their property.
“I have a small army guarding my animals and it is costing me a fortune every month. But the guards are terrified of firing a shot at poachers because, if they were to hit them, they would also be charged with murder,” said Hume.
Mpumalanga police spokesman, Brig Selvy Mohlala, said the police viewed the matter as “serious” and “we believe he has a case to answer”.
“The suspect was shot in the head and was rushed to hospital. He is still in hospital,” said Mohlala.
The suspects will again appear in court next Wednesday.
