MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) - Following a shooting incident on July 15 last year, during which a striking SAMWU worker was shot and killed, the local Magistrate Court on Wednesday ruled that the shooter, Mr Wilson Nkuna acted in self-defence.

Mr Nkuna, the then Acting Municipal Manager was part of a group of three men tasked to address striking workers who gathered outside Council's offices. The gathering followed a march through town during which rubbish bins were overturned and litter strewn. The march and strike were part of SAMWU's nation-wide strike over a wage dispute.

Mr Nkuna, along with Messrs Peter Magwala (Director Corporate Services) and Peter Muleya (Council PRO), walked towards the group of rowdy strikers in an effort to address their grievances. The next moment Mr Nkuna was attacked by the striking workers, after which he produced a firearm and fired wildly into the crowd, wounding three people. A bloody Mr Nkuna was moments later dragged from the crowd by a member of the local Fire Brigade, Mr Nico Theunissen. The three wounded men and Mr Nkuna were rushed to the Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital. Shortly after their arrival one of the wounded men, Mr T Davhana, however, died from a gunshot wound to the stomach.

The court on Wednesday this week ruled that Mr Nkuna acted in self-defence when he opened fire on the group of striking workers. It brought to an end an inquest that dragged on for several months. Fourteen eyewitnesses testified in the inquest, many of which testified that Mr Nkuna was indeed attacked on the day of the incident. The court's finding, as well as the testimonies of the eyewitnesses will be sent to the Director Public Prosecution for a final decision.