Two brothers were shot and killed allegedly by a Bampoen farm owner in Piet Retief, Mpumalanga on Friday, 9 April.
Amos Coka and Zenzele Coka were among a group of people who went to engage with the farmer about job opportunities since it is harvesting season. It is alleged that the farm supervisors started arguing with their friend and later took him inside a store room where they allegedly assaulted him.
The Coka brothers were shot while trying to save their friend.
Farm Residence Workers and Labour Tenants Association leader Bongani Hlatshwayo told Daily Sun that last year they had a meeting with the farmer, to ask him to prioritise people living on the farm when there were job opportunities.
"Today we went to the farm to ask him the same thing but we were attacked. It is painful because lives were lost in the process," he said.
Last year in June, the same farm owner allegedly poisoned cattle belonging to another family on the farm.
Hlatshwayo said the community is angry and fears that a war may break out.
Mpumalanga police spokesman Colonel Donald Mdhluli confirmed that five people were arrested and charged with two counts of murder and one of attempted murder.
