Dr Koos Troskie (80), who with his teenaged grandson has been accused of killing and burying a man in a shallow grave in Kroonstad in the Free State, has told the media that he has killed before, and will kill again if he is attacked on his farm, reports SABC News.
Police say they discovered the decomposed body of the unknown man on 20 August on a farm between Kroonstad and Welkom.
It’s alleged that he was fatally shot and buried in the unmarked grave in July this year.
Troskie says the latest incident is related to the attacks that have been happening on his farms.
“I feel very bad because this is a second attack. The first one …(the attacker) shot me from outside my house and he missed, and his angle was too bad. I came back with a shotgun and I killed him. If I am a farmer and you attack me, I will kill.”
Earlier, members of the EFF in the province threatened to shut down the doctor’s medical practice after discovery of the body.
The Citizen reports that Troskie and his grandson appeared before the Kroonstad Magistrate’s Court facing several charges that include murder, attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice, reckless endangerment, and contraventions of the Firearms Control Act.
Police confirmed the body was found after a tip-off from the community.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the grandson was released into the care of his guardian after his first court appearance, and that the matter had been remanded for a formal bail application.
SABC News – Free State farmer Koos Troskie says he will kill again if attacked (Open access)
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