By Staff Writer
LEPHALALE-Paul Hendricks Stephanus Van Zyl (77) appeared in Lephalale Magistrate court today after shooting and wounding a woman he claimed he mistook for a hippopotamus.
Van Zyl, who is out on R1000 bail, is alleged to have shot at a couple and injured Lina Motlogeloa last month, he faces attempted murder charges, according to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
Linah, 38, sustained gun shot wounds on her arm, while her partner “managed to hide” before informing police and emergency services, police said.
The accused “is the owner of the farm where the incident occurred”, said Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, NPA spokesperson in the province. Police seized two rifles, one revolver, one pistol, and two airguns during the arrest.
The couple resides at Mamojela Park in Lephalale and told police they were fishing when they heard a gunshot which missed them before a second shot was fired in their direction, hitting Motlogeloa on the left arm.
He will appear again in court on July 05.
