An elderly woman and a 14 year old boy from Halfgewoonen farm in Bethal opened a case against Trevor Friedman (farm owner) after his dog allegedly mauled them.
Gogo Vilakazi said she was walking with another woman to get vegetables when Friedman and his worker, Paul Makhado appeared driving their bakkie with the dog at the back of the vehicle.
Gogo said the dog jumped out and attacked her.
“Friedman and Paul took their dog and left me lying there.
“They did not even bother to check if I was badly injured,” said Gogo who further
mentioned that the only time she saw Friedman’s family
member was when she was instructed to drop the charges against him.
The incident was said to have happened in January 2018 and few days later, the 14 year old boy was also attacked by the same dog and he also opened a case.
Residents of Halfgewoonen said the same dog attacked several people before and they were threatened not to open cases or they will lose their jobs.
Const Thomas Mogadime from Bethal Police Station confirmed that two cases were opened, one for Assault GBH and the other one for walking with a vicious dog without a leash.
The mother of a 14 year old boy also accused Friedman of instructing her to drop the charges.
The EFF protested outside
Bethal Magistrate Court when the accused appeared on Wednesday, 4 April.
EFF Councillor Mofokeng said he was dissapointed to see that there are people who still have racial problems in this age and time.
“You could see that it was not the first time his dog attacks people.
“We are also not happy with the fact that he is trying to shift the blame to Makhado, forcing him to admit that the dog is his,” added Mofokeng.
He also mentioned that they are aware of the techniques some farmers use to forcefully remove people from their farms.
The case was postponed to Wednesday, 11 April because of the Senior State Prosecutor who was not available.
It was not the first time Trevor Friedman found himself in hot water.
In 2015, he was charged with malicious damage to property of the blind elderly woman.
The case of demolishing the house will be back in court again on Tuesday, 24 April.
The house was said to have been built by the former premier of Mpumalanga and now Deputy President of the country, DD Mabuza. Farm residents said they are tired of being tormented by Friedman and want the justice to take its course.
Paul Makhado was also charged for walking with a vicious dog without a leash. Makhado is Friedman employee responsible for taking care of the dog.
