Free State Agriculture (FSA) expressed its shock about a shooting incident in the province in which three lives were lost.
Two farmers and a police official died in the Koffiefontein district earlier this month. Another police official was wounded during the shoot-out on 10 January 2019. Tommie Esterhuyse, FSA vice president, said the matter was exacerbated by the fact that the shooter was a farmer.
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“We want to convey our deepest sympathy to the families of the victims and wish them well in this most difficult time,” he added.
Paul Nel (60), a member of FSA, was shot dead by his neighbour, Coenie Badenhorst (36) on the day of the incident.
The South African Police Service was alerted and upon arrival on the scene the shootout ensued. This led to the death of Constable Vuyani March (27). Badenhorst was wounded and later succumbed to his wounds.
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Sgt. George Calvert (41) was also wounded during the incident. In support of the SAPS, local farmers activated the Rural Safety Plan. They were also shot at by Badenhorst when they arrived on the scene.
The shooting was apparently preceded by conflict between Nel and Badenhorst. It appeared that the conflict ensued from a lease agreement between Nel and Badenhorst’s father.
Badenhorst reportedly first killed Nel and then hid among some bushes from where he shot at the police.
