DRAMA OF THE VELDT

Evening Star, Issue 20510, 14 June 1930, Page 19

DRAMA OF THE VELDT

FARMERS'DEADLY FEUD QUARREL ENDS IN FIGHT. On© of the strangest tragedies that ever baffled the Ponce Force of South Africa is still shrouded in mystery, despite months of investigation and tha trial at Johannesburg on a charge of murder of Jacobus Petrus Kershoff, a well-know farmer. He was alleged to have 'shot Daniel’ Botha, member of the famous family of that name* Botha and Kershoff were neighbours, but only in'name. There developed between them a feud as bitter as the veldt country has ever-known. They were constantly at loggerheads, and the quarrel culminated in a fight. Some days later Botha’s dead body, with a gun alongside ’ it, was found on the veldt. Kershtff was arrested and charged with tb-' crime, but was found not guilty and acquitted. Amazing evidence was given' at tha trial, where Mrs Kershoff spoke of tha fight between her husband and Botha. Kershoff was mending a shoe at tha time. Botha asked him where ha found his horses, and on Kershoff denying any knowledge of the animals Botha demanded a horse from him. A struggle between the men followed, Botha having the better of, the duel and gett’ng Kershoff on the ground. He pressed tiis knees on his chest, and witness; fearing her husband was going to faint, grabbed, an axe, with the intention of “ chopping ” Botha. She was prevented from <|oing 80 by' a man named Swarti .

The fight greatly upset Kershoff, who remained ,at bom© for several* days* During thia evidence Miss Botha, sister ‘Or deceaseo, took Mrs Kershoff’shabv from her, as the mother was obviously feeling the strain. . A sensational-story wais told by a native in Kershoff’s employ. He declared that, following, the fight, he saw Kershog, arined with a gun, meeBotha, who was on horseback, Botha asked what Kershoff was doing on his land, and following some other observations, Botha said “You shoot!” There was a shot at 10yds range. Botha fell from his horse, and accused chased the animal up the hill. Kershoff subsequently warned witness not to divulge anything of what had happened, and said ho had placed the gun beside deceased’s side so as to make it appear as though the weapon had gone off accidentally when the horse bolted.

Kershoff stated in evidence that ha had a few words with Botha concerning the whereabouts of his horses. Witness knew nothing about the animals, but ..deceased seemed very annoyed. Subsequently Botha attacked him, and accused may have accidentally cut deceased with his knife, but he denied stabbing him. ’ • The jury’s verdict of “Not guilty was unanimous.