Father who shot son: case postponed

The case was postponed until 17 July as the investigating officer had reportedly not collected the ballistics report.

It was reported the defence argued the case should be struck off the court roll, as the man had the right to a speedy trial and did not believe the state would be ready with their case by the next court appearance. However, the magistrate postponed the case.

3 July, 9.22am:

The man was released on R2 000 bail on 30 April and is facing charges of negligent use of a firearm. He was arrested after the incident took place on 28 April.

According to Midrand police communications officer Constable Matome Tlamela, the man had said the gun accidentally fired a shot, injuring his seven-year-old son in the upper abdomen while in a toilet cubicle at the expo.

The case was postponed in April for further investigation.

1 May, 2pm:

The man who shot and wounded his son at a gun expo in Midrand on 28 April has reportedly been released  on R2 000 bail.

On 30 April, Midrand Police spokesperson Matome Tlamela said the man appeared in Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on the charges of negligent handling of a firearm and attempted murder.

It is alleged the incident was an accident.

The case was postponed to 21 May for further investigation.

Tlamela said the seven-year-old boy, who was shot in the upper chest area, was “recovering well” in Life Carstenhof Clinic in Midrand.

29 April, 6.17pm:

The father who accidentally shot and wounded his son in the upper abdomen will appear in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on 30 April.

The man and his two sons were going to the bathroom in Gallagher Convention Centre when he accidentally shot one of his sons.

Midrand police were called to the scene. Midrand police communications officer Constable Matome Tlamela said the detective had given the man a warning statement and the man would appear in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on the charge of negligent handling of a firearm.

She said the child was ‘recovering well’ in hospital.

The family was attending HuntEx 2014 at the convention centre when the incident took place.

Organiser of HuntEx 2014 Adriaan Woudstra said he was shocked at the accident and reiterated that strict firearms control measures were in force at the expo. He said all firearms exhibitors held temporary firearms exhibition permits from the Police Services Central Firearms Registry, which also had members present on the premises during the duration of the expo.

To read the full story on the incident, click here