FSA shocked by three deaths on a Koffiefontein farm

Free State Agriculture (FSA) expressed its shock about a shooting incident in the province in which three lives were lost.

FSA shocked by three deaths on a Koffiefontein farm
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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.

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Annelie Coleman represents Farmer’s Weekly in the Free State, North West and Northern Cape. Agriculture is in her blood. She grew up on a maize farm in the Wesselsbron district where her brother is still continuing with the family business. Annelie is passionate about the area she works in and calls it ‘God’s own country’. She’s particularly interested in beef cattle farming, especially with the indigenous African breeds. She’s an avid reader and owns a comprehensive collection of Africana covering hunting in colonial Africa, missionary history of same period, as well as Rhodesian literature.