Farm worker dies after allegedly shooting himself with a tranquilizer dart
A 30-year-old man died after allegedly shooting himself with tranquilizer dart, while tracking an escaped buffalo on a farm in Saamboubrug, north of Lephalale on Friday morning.
LIMPOPO – According to a statement issued by Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, the buffalo escaped from its enclosure and strayed into the neighboring farm where the deceased was employed. A 45-year-old game farmer and owner of the animal, together with a farm employee (28) entered the said farm to search for the Buffalo, whereby the deceased joined them to help search for the animal.
According to preliminary reports, the deceased shot himself with the dart while walking in the company of the other two people while tracking the buffalo, explained Mojapelo.
“He immediately started shivering and was rushed to a hospital in Polokwane where he later died at about 12:00, apparently due to the effect of the substance in the tranquilizer dart.”
“The matter was reported to the Polokwane Police Station and a case of culpable homicide will today (Monday 27 November 2017), be registered at Saamboubrug Police Station against the game farmer for allegedly handing over the darting gun to the deceased who did not have the necessary license.”
A possible charge under the provisions of the Firearms Controls Act will also be preferred against the farmer, he added.
Legal gun owners are once again warned to always adhere to laws governing the handling of firearms as the police will not hesitate to take strong actions against non-compliance.
Police investigations into the circumstances of the shooting continue.
