FARMER’S WIFE FINED
Herald 8 July 2011
Makhado Ranch farmer George Watson’s wife, Elaine du Plooy was yesterday fined R3 000 for assaulting and setting dogs on two herdboys looking for stray donkeys in the ranch.
Initially, Watson and du Plooy (25) had been jointly charged with assault before charges against him were withdrawn because of lack of aggravating evidence.
Beitbridge resident magistrate Miss Gloria Takundwa presided over the matter.
Du Plooy pleaded not guilty to the charges, but was convicted on the strength of overwhelming evidence provided by the State.
She was slapped with a fine or spending six months in prison.
Prosecutor Mr Jabulani Mberesi told the court that on August 27 last year, the herdboys went to Makhado Ranch to look for their stray donkeys.
He said du Plooy saw the boys when they were near Magumanzi Dam and called her dogs and set them on the boys.
Watson allegedly rushed to the scene while his wife grabbed the older boy pinning him down to stop him from restraining the dogs that were attacking the 14-year-old boy.
The boys were later set free.
The younger sustained severe injuries on the head and buttocks.
The case was reported to the police leading to the arrest of Watson and du Plooy.
The injured boy was then taken to Beitbridge district hospital for treatment after three days.
Meanwhile, in another court case before the same magistrate, Watson is being charged with attempted murder and malicious damage to property for after allegedly running over his employees’ tin houses.
He is accused of setting their belongings on fire for failing to drive away cattle from the villages from the ranch cattle.
Watson was remanded in custody to 21 July.
Charges against Watson are that on May 31 this year, he drove his Toyota Landcruiser into three tin houses belonging to his employees. It is also alleged that seven people were sleeping in the houses. – HR