While the bail application of Lutzville farmer Christoffel Stoman, who allegedly mowed down six-year-old Kwezi Jantjies with his bakkie, was postponed to Friday, a petition by community members opposing his release has garnered more than 1 500 signatures.
The 70-year-old orchard farmer faces two charges of attempted murder and a charge of reckless and negligent driving following his arrest on September 20 when he allegedly ran over the boy with his bakkie, breaking his legs, for apparently stealing fruit found along the roadway near his farm.
Stoman opposed the two Schedule 5 charges of attempted murder against him on Monday morning at the Vredendal Magistrate’s Court.
Two defence witnesses – Stoman’s wife Magdalene Stoman and his brother-in-law Alain Grobelaar – took the stand to testify.
Grobelaar, a retired police officer, was questioned about having visited the crime scene the day after the accident.
Prosecutor Thandiwe Gonyela averred that he had done so “to undermine the criminal justice system, undermine the investigation and wanted to create the impression that police were incompetent and did not investigate properly”.
He denied the allegation that he had interfered to help his brother-in-law.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, said court proceedings were delayed.
“We (started court proceedings) and we put the charges to the accused and informed the court that we were charging him under Schedule 5. The defence disputed the schedule. The case had to adjourn for us to obtain the certificate as the defence had not told us that they were going to dispute the schedule,” said Ntabazalila.
Ntabazalila said the schedule 5 charge put “the onus on the accused to show the court that it was in the interest of justice for him to be released on bail”.
The matter was postponed to Friday for further evidence while Stoman remained in custody.
Billy Claasen of the Rural and Farmworkers Development Organisation said the boy was walking with his mother, Magrieta Jantjies, when the incident occurred.
Further to the state opposing Stoman’s release on bail, a petition signed by more than 1 500 residents is also opposing his release.
The petition by residents of Lutzville, Lutzville West and Matzikama noted that they were “deeply concerned by the heinous crime”.
“This act was motivated by misguided belief that the boy stole an orange from his (Stoman’s) tree. On 20 September 2024, Chris Johannes Stoman assaulted Kwezi Jantjies with his vehicle, demonstrating extreme disregard for human life.
“The boy remains hospitalised, facing a long recovery. In court, he showed no remorse and his actions demonstrate a clear disregard for human life,” the petition read.
Claasen said the incident had sparked outrage, with several NGOs and political parties picketing outside court in opposition to bail.
Cape Times