THE SIX-YEAR-OLD who was allegedly run over by a farmer for stealing an orange screamed “Mummy, I’m going to die”, his heartbroken mum revealed in court.
Christoffel Johannes Stoman, 70, appeared in the Vredendal Magistrate’s Court on Monday on two charges of attempted murder and a charge of reckless and negligent driving.
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Mum Magdalene Jantijies claims Stoman rammed into them both, consequently pinning them against the fence before Khwezi’s legs were crushed under the tyres.
She explained to the court that her six-year-old has endured nightmares about the horrific incident.
Recalling the scene, Magdalene said: “He said: ‘Ouch, Mummy… I’m going to die!’ And the child screamed, he screamed and I said: ‘It will all be alright, Khwezi’.”
Young Khwezi was rushed to Paarl Hospital and was then transferred to Vredendal – near his family home.
Khwezi is due to have surgery on Wednesday as treatment continues to save his legs, according to his mum.
The horrific case has caused uproar within the community, with locals claiming that it is not the first time Stoman has committed this kind of crime, according to eNCA.
Local community activist Billy Claasan is pleading with lawmakers to toughen the consequences on farmers committing crimes.
He also alleges that the suspect told cops that he “would do it again”, IOL reports.
Magdalene said she and her son had walked past the accused farmer’s smallholding when making their way to town to do some food shopping, EWN reports.
Khwezi reportedly stopped to pick up an orange that was on the ground before attempting to reach through a fence and grab another one that was on the ground as well.
Stoman, the farmer, accused Khwezi of stealing an orange from his farm.
He then allegedly hit and ran over the six-year-old with his vehicle that had a trailer attached.
The emotional mum recalled the terrifying incident, saying she heard accused Stoman scream before ramming into them both, pinning them against a fence.
Magdalene said to eNCA: “He came from around the corner and he was driving at a speed.
“He shouted ‘stand there, stand there.’ I thought he was going to stop. He aimed directly at us in a corner, and I screamed, Help! Help!
“He said, ‘I’m going to kill you by driving into you.'”
The mum claims that following the incident said the farmer “showed no remorse” and didn’t offer “any assistance” to the pair, Sahara Reporters claims.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed the State had opposed Stoman’s release.
He said: “(Stoman) will stay in custody and will appear on Monday in the Vredendal Magistrate’s Court.
“The State has indicated that it will oppose bail in this case. We welcome this development.
“We visited the crime scene, and there is no way that this boy could have gained access to the orchard over that fence.
“The suspect should answer in a court of law for this reckless behaviour.”
Following the horror incident, Magdalene said her and her six-year-old would focus on his recovery and have plans to receive counselling after the traumatic event.
She added: “I aim to continue with this case. I want to proceed by the grace of God, as long as I can stand here.”
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