AFRICAN DRAMA.

Thames Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 17928, 2 July 1930, Page 6

AFRICAN DRAMA.

FARMERS’ DEADLY FEUD One of the strangest tragedies that ever baffled the police force of South Africa is still shrouded in mystery, despite months of investigation and the trail at Johannesburg on a charge of murder, of Jacobus Petrus Kershoff, a well-known farmer. He was alleged to have shot Daniel Bothia, member otf 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 Bctha’s dead body, with a gun a-< longside it, was found on the veldt. Kershott was arrested, and charged with the crime, but was found “not guilty” and acquitted. Amazing evidence was given at the trail, where Mrs Kershott spoke of the fight between her' husband and Botha. Kershoff was mending a shoe at the time. Botha asked him where he found his horses, and on Kershoff denying any knowledge of the animals, ißotha demanded a horse from him. A struggle between the men followed, Botha having the better of the duel and geting Kershoff on the ground. He pressed his 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 doing so by a man named Swart.

The fight greatly upset Kershoff, who remained at home for several days. During this evidence Miss Botha, sister of the deceased, took Mrs Kershoff’s baby from her, as the mother was obviously feeling the strain.

A sensational story was told |by a native servant in Kershoff’s emiploy. He declared -that,.’ following the fight, we saw Kershoff, armed with a gun, meet Botha, who was on horseback. Botha asked what Kershoff was doing -on his land and, following some other observations, Botha said “You shoot!” 1 .>*

'There was a shot at 10 yards’ range, Botha fell from the horse, and accused chased the animal up the hill. Kershoff subsequently warned witness not to divulge anything of what had happened, and said he had placed the gun beside deceased’s body so as to make it appear as though the weapon had gone off accidently when the horse bolted. Kershoff stated in evidence that he 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. v -