A mother recounted the haunting moment that a farmer ran over her 6-year-old son, breaking both of his legs , for picking up an orange that had fallen on the ground near the farmer's land, according to a South African court.
Magdalene Jantijies, the devastated mom , and her son were going grocery shopping when the boy stopped to pick up an orange. Christoffel Johannes Stoman, 70, stands accused of hitting little Kwezi Beukes when he spotted the boy grabbing the fruit off the ground on September 20. Neighbors say Stoman has a history of angry behavior in the neighborhood.
She said her child screamed, "Mommy, I'm going to die," as Stoman crushed his legs . The boy is now recovering and requires multiple surgeries.
Jantijies recounted for the court how Stoman came out of nowhere, driving a car with a trailer attachment, and pinned the little boy against a fence, crushing his legs under the tires.
Stoman appeared in Vredendal Magistrate's Court on two counts of attempted murder and reckless and negligent driving.
Kwezi was reportedly struck by Stoman's trailer-equipped vehicle near the farmer's land, pinning him against a fence and crushing his legs under the tires. The boy's traumatized mom spoke of his frequent nightmares following the dreadful event.
Magdalene vividly captured the moment of agony, recounting: 'He said: "Ouch, Mommy... I'm going to die!" And the child screamed, he screamed, and I said: "It will all be alright, Khwezi."
Rushed first to local Vredendal Hospital, then transferred to Paarl Hospital, Khwezi faces a battle to save his legs with upcoming surgery.
She relayed how they were simply walking past the farmer's property en route to town for groceries when the incident unfolded, according to EWN, noting that Khwezi had stopped to pick up an orange from the ground before the catastrophe struck.
In a heart-wrenching account of the tragic event, the grieving mother recounted how she heard Stoman yelling before he drove into her and her son, pinning them against a fence.
Speaking to eCNA, a shattered Magdalene described the terrifying encounter: "He came from around the corner, and he was driving at a speed. He shouted, 'Stand there, stand there,' I thought he was going to stop. He aimed directly at us in a corner, and I screamed, Help! Help! He said, "I'm going to kill you by driving into you.'"
Ambient frustration has swelled among community members who say that Stoman has been involved in similar incidents before. His neighbors have gathered to ask the court to deny bail for the man.
Billy Claasen of the Rural and Farmworkers Development Organisation is now pleading for legislators to strengthen penalties for farmers who commit offenses.
NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila has confirmed an update on the case saying, "He will stay in custody and will appear on Monday in the Vredendal Magistrate's Court," and remarked, "The State has indicated that it will oppose bail in this case. We welcome this development.
Further expressing the distrust in the suspect's narrative, he added, "We visited the crime scene, and there is no way that this boy could have gained access to the orchard over that fence. The suspect should answer in a court of law for this reckless behavior."
Magdalene's focus has shifted toward healing; she declared that she and her son Khwezi would concentrate on his recovery and seek counselling to mend from the harrowing ordeal. She says the boy is now having nightmares.
She further stated: "I aim to continue with this case. I want to proceed by the grace of God, as long as I can stand here."
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