Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi has warned cow owners in the country to always be fully responsible for their stock.
Nhlabatsi said wandering cows caused horrible accidents and left behind orphans and destitute families.
She further warned owners that people left behind after incidents caused by cows were entitled to claim child support and compensation.
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The Magistrate was addressing an accused person whose cow caused a fatal accident that led to the demise of a passenger.
Jabulani Zwane of LaMgabhi Etiyeni has been charged with culpable homicide and negligence.
Zwane’s cow was knocked down by a Toyota Hilux driven by Sakhile Dlamini before it was run over by a Mitsubishi driven by Bhekumusa Dlamini of Somnjalose.
It is said Bhekumusa lost control of his car which landed on the roof after it veered off the road and overturned.
The accident happened on August 24, 2024. When the charges were read to him, he pleaded guilty to the charges but highlighted that he was not given the cow’s ear tag and, therefore, could not tell if it was his cow.
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Principal Magistrate Fikile stood down the matter and instructed the prosecutor to find the investigating officer and the esr tag.
When the matter resumed, Zwane was fined E5000 for culpable homicide and E800 for negligence. Nhlabatsi also instructed him to pay his respects to the Jele family, who had lost their relative.
He was given until October 11, 2024 to pay the E5800 because he asked the court to grant him time to find the money.
