Limpopo - A Limpopo farmer pleaded guilty to killing a 14-year-old boy on Thursday, Limpopo police said.
Piet Swart, 57, who appeared in the Groblersdal Magistrate's Court, pleaded guilty to charges of culpable homicide, assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, and three charges of common assault, spokeswoman Lt-Col Ronel Otto said.
Last year Swart shot at a group of boys fishing in a dam on his farm. The 14-year-old was hit in the head. A 17-year-old was shot in the left hand.
“He was sentenced to five years in prison which was wholly suspended on condition that he will not commit a similar offence during the period of the suspension.”
Swart was ordered to pay R100 000 to the families of the victims.
“The family of the deceased boy will receive R75 000, while the family of the 17-year-old boy who was injured will receive R25 000.”
Swart took the wounded teenagers to hospital, where the 14-year-old was declared dead. The other boy was treated and discharged.
Two other children were not harmed. - Sapa