A wave of anger and heartbreak has swept through communities following the trial of 70-year-old farmer Christoffel Stoman, who is accused of deliberately running over a six-year-old boy, Khwezi Jantijies, after the child picked up an orange from the ground. The disturbing incident has raised serious questions about violence, accountability, and the value placed on human life—particularly the lives of children.
On the day of the incident, Khwezi was walking with his mother, Magdalene Jantijies, as they made their way toward town to do some shopping. According to testimony presented in court, the pair were passing near a farm property when the young boy noticed an orange lying on the ground. The fruit had apparently fallen from a tree earlier and was already discarded on the soil. Khwezi picked it up, an innocent act that would soon lead to devastating consequences.
Witnesses told the court that the child then noticed another orange lying on the ground on the opposite side of a fence. As he moved toward it, Stoman allegedly appeared, driving a vehicle towing a trailer. Crucially, testimony emphasized that Khwezi did not pick fruit from a tree, nor did he damage property. He only picked up fruit that was already on the ground.
Despite this, the accused allegedly drove his vehicle directly toward the child and his mother. In the moments that followed, Khwezi was struck and run over, sustaining severe injuries. Medical reports confirmed that the six-year-old suffered fractures in both legs, injuries that will likely require long-term treatment and rehabilitation. What should have been a simple walk into town became a life-altering ordeal for the child and his family.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, not only because of the violent nature of the act, but also due to statements allegedly made by the accused during questioning. According to court proceedings, Stoman reportedly stated that he “would do it again,” a remark that has intensified public anger and disbelief. Many have described the comment as showing a complete lack of remorse and compassion.
Community members and child rights activists have condemned the alleged actions in the strongest terms, calling for justice for Khwezi and accountability for what they describe as an excessive and cruel response to a harmless act by a child. Social media platforms have been flooded with messages of support for the Jantijies family, as well as calls for harsher consequences for crimes committed against minors.
As the trial continues, the case has become a symbol of broader societal issues, including how conflicts over property are handled and how easily violence can escalate. For many, the hope is that justice will not only be served in court, but that the outcome will send a clear message that the lives and safety of children must always be protected—no matter the circumstances.
Khwezi’s story has left an indelible mark on the nation, a painful reminder that compassion and restraint should never be overshadowed by anger, especially when innocent lives are at stake. 💔
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