Farmer (70) ‘mows down six-year-old boy for stealing an ORANGE’, breaking both his legs as his mother watches in South Africa

A farmer allegedly mowed down a six-year-old boy for stealing an orange in South Africa in front of his shocked mother, breaking both his legs.

Christoffel Johannes Stoman, 70, made his first appearance in the Vredendal court on Monday on two charges of attempted murder and reckless and negligent driving.

Stoman was arrested by Lutzville police after six-year-old Kwezi Beukes was struck by his vehicle with a trailer on September 20 while he was walking with his mother, Magdalene Jantijies.

The farmer accused Khwezi of taking an orange from his farm and as punishment the older man mowed down the little boy, leaving him with horrific injuries including two broken legs.

After the brutal incident, Stoman reportedly showed no remorse and told police he would “do it again.”

Christoffel Johannes Stoman, 70, appears in the Vredendal court on charges of deliberately running over Khwezi Jantjies, a six-year-old child

Khwezi had both legs broken after allegedly stealing an orange from Stoman’s farm in Lutzville, in Vredendal, South Africa

Khwezi’s mother Magdalene Jantjies watched in horror as her son was crushed by Stoman’s vehicle

Khwezi and his mother were taken to the local Vredendal Hospital before being transferred to Paarl Hospital, where the young boy is undergoing treatment to save his legs.

Mother Magdalena said she and her son had walked past the accused farmer’s small business on their way into town to do some shopping. EWN reported.

The little boy reportedly stopped to pick up an orange that was on the ground, before trying to reach through a fence and grab another – which was also on the ground.

Recalling the tragic incident, the distraught mother said she heard Stoman screaming before ramming into her and her son, pinning them against a fence.

Magdalena told it eCNA: ‘He came around the corner and drove at high speed.

‘He shouted ‘stand there, stay there’, I thought he was going to stop. He was aiming straight at us in the corner and I shouted, Help! Staff!

“He said, ‘I’m going to kill you by running into you.’

People protest outside the Vredendal court before the appearance of farmer Christoffel Stoman

Stoman reportedly said he would ‘do it again’

The case has caused an uproar within the community as locals have come forward claiming this is not the first incident of its kind involving Stoman.

Billy Claasen of the Rural and Farmworkers Development Organization is now pleading with lawmakers to tighten consequences for farmers who commit crimes.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that the state had opposed Stoman’s release.

“He remains in custody and will appear in Vredendal court on Monday,” he said.

‘The State has indicated that it will oppose bail in this case. We welcome this development.

‘We visited the crime scene and there is no way this boy could have gained access to the orchard over that fence.

“The suspect must answer before the judge for this reckless behavior.”

Magdalene said she and Khwezi would now focus on his recovery and plans to get help after the traumatic event.

She added: “I intend to continue with this case. I want to go on by the grace of God as long as I can stand here.”