A shooting occurred in Orangeville in the Free State when a farmer reportedly mistook an elderly person for a dog, seriously wounding the individual. Bloemfontein Courant reports the victim, shot through the hip, has been hospitalised.

“The Department of Social Development in the Free State is deeply disturbed and saddened by the tragic incident involving July Pakiso Dlamini, an elderly individual who was shot in our province. As a country, we have adopted the Older Persons Act 13 of 2006, an act introduced to protect, promote, and maintain the status, rights, well-being, and security of older persons,” said the spokesperson for the department, Thembile Nqabeni.

Nqabeni added that the department condemns and combats any form of ageism in this case, highlighting that it is a major reason why the abuse of older people receives so little attention.

“We wish a speedy recovery for the victim and urge all local authorities, police, and community members to assist in the investigation and justice process. MEC Mathabo Leeto, working together with other stakeholders of the department, is clear in the intention to protect the constitutional rights of our older community,” Nqabeni said.

He further mentioned that departmental officials and a team of social workers will visit the victim’s home to provide psychosocial support.