DURBAN - The case of a Glencoe farmer accused of shooting and killing a teenage boy on a farm, has been moved to the Regional Court.
Garth Simpson, 68, appeared at the Glencoe Magistrate’s Court in Dundee on Tuesday for the murder of Qiniso Dlamini, who was collecting cattle belonging to his family and the community on the farmer’s farm.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Natasha Kara said the matter had been moved to the Regional Court.
“The matter was postponed to February 15, 2022, for first appearance in the Regional Court,” Kara said.
Glencoe Magistrate’s Court does not have the jurisdiction to hear murder cases, hence the move to the regional court.
Simpson is also charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm.
He has been in custody since September, and will remain in jail until his next court appearance.
Qiniso was shot in the abdomen and died at the scene.
He was a Grade 10 pupil at Sebenzakusakhanya High School in Sithembile township, Glencoe, and had wanted to become a lawyer.
Civil rights organisation AfriForum said it was concerned about the court’s handling of Simpson’s bail application.
AfriForum’s head of policy and action, Ernst Roets said they felt that the reasons given to deny bail were insufficient.
He said the court, among others, argued that Simpson’s bail was denied for his own safety.
AfriForum previously announced that it would help Simpson with legal assistance because he stood a chance of success in court as he had a good defence argument.
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