Cape Town - One of the men accused of the assault of farm worker Flippie Engelbrecht has committed suicide, a report says.
According to the Rapport website, a friend of the family said Johnny Burger, the owner of Rietvallei Wine Estate, had shot himself on his farm in Robertson early on Tuesday.
Burger and farm manager Wilhelm (Dozi) Treurnicht were facing two charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm in connection with the assault of farm worker Flip Engelbrecht and his son, Flippie, five years ago.
Flippie, now 20, was left epileptic and blind. Later, he fell into a fire during a seizure and lost both his hands. Last month, he was fitted with a pair of prosthetic hands.
It is the State’s case that in 2008 Burger and Treurnicht beat Engelbrecht, who worked on the farm, and Flippie, then 15.
Police spokesman Andre Traut said on Tuesday: “This office can confirm that a death inquest case docket has been registered following the death of a 62-year-old man this morning at around 8.30 on his farm in Ashton.
“Circumstances indicate that the person was responsible for his own death. However, the matter will be investigated.
“The identity of the deceased will not be released at this stage,” Traut said. However it is reliably understood that the man was Burger.
The men have appeared in court on numerous occasions. On Wednesday last week at Ashton Magistrate’s Court, magistrate Francois van Deventer transferred the case to the Ashton Regional Court, postponing the matter to September 13. - IOL, Cape Argus