Musina - Limpopo farmer Peter Nicholson had his tyres punctured and was shot at by a group of army officers near Musina, in what they allegedly claimed was a case of mistaken identity.
At about 8.45pm on Monday, Nicholson was driving on the R525 near Musina to investigate shots he had heard being fired.
“The next moment there was a set of spikes pulled across the road,” he told The Star.
“I couldn’t avoid the spikes, so I drove over them, and that flattened all the tyres of the vehicle.”
As his tyres burst, Nicholson was shot at.
He managed to drive to a neighbour, where he called the police.
Limpopo police spokeswoman Colonel Ronel Otto confirmed the incident and said one person had been arrested for attempted murder.
A case of malicious damage to property had also been opened.
“We are working with the SANDF to investigate the full circumstances surrounding the incident. The possibility of more arrests is not excluded,” she said.
Nicholson said the Musina police had responded to his call within five minutes.
“Military personnel were found on the scene with their rifles, with the equipment with which they punctured the tyres and the empty shells,” he said.
“These people then said they were so sorry, it was a (case of) mistaken identity. I was shot at on a national public road (in a case of) mistaken identity.
“Nobody was injured… but I don’t know what would have happened if I had stopped,” Nicholson said.
SANDF spokesman Brigadier-General Xolani Mabanga confirmed the incident and said it was being investigated.
“His weapon was confiscated and will form part of the SAPS investigation. The SANDF has convened a board of inquiry,” he said.
Mabanga did not answer The Star’s question on whether the officers were acting under military instruction.
The Star