The Ficksburg Magistrate’s Court has granted R1,000 bail to a man in his twenties accused in the fatal shooting of a 12-year-old girl during a hunting outing in the eastern Free State, a tragedy that has renewed concerns around firearm safety during hunting activities on South African farms.
The accused, Riedwaan Kadawa, appeared briefly in court on Monday. The matter was postponed to July 22 as investigators continue ballistic testing and forensic analysis expected to determine how the fatal shot was fired.
The incident took place at Franshoek farm near Ficksburg, close to the South Africa-Lesotho border.
What began as a hunting trip ended in tragedy when Bint Mungur was struck by a bullet while seated inside a vehicle. She was rushed to hospital but was later declared dead on arrival.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring confirmed that the accused was arrested shortly after the incident. He initially faced a murder charge, which was later reduced to culpable homicide as investigations progressed.
Authorities said both the accused and the child’s father had discharged firearms during the hunt. Investigators are still working to establish the precise sequence of events that led to the shooting.
“She was rushed to a local hospital for medical treatment but was unfortunately declared dead upon arrival at approximately 9am,” Mophiring said.
Police confirmed that all firearms belonging to the accused had been seized and sent for forensic ballistic examination. The findings are expected to play a central role when the matter returns to court in July.
The case has drawn widespread public attention, particularly following the decision to reduce the charge to culpable homicide, which under South African law refers to the unlawful but unintentional causing of death through negligence.
Mophiring said investigations remain ongoing and that all evidence will be carefully assessed before prosecutors proceed further.
The tragedy has deeply shaken both the local farming community and the broader public, with renewed debate emerging around firearm safety during hunting activities, particularly in environments where children are present.
A source close to the accused’s family said relations between the families had remained relatively calm despite the devastating loss.
“The family has accepted that the shooting was not intentional as it happened during hunting time and forgiven each other,” the source said, adding that the accused was emotionally distressed following the incident.
Local hunter Thabo Mokwena said hunting remains common across many Free State farming areas, especially during winter.
“Farms like Franshoek attract hunters because of various animals on the land,” he said. “But this tragedy has reminded everyone that guns must be handled with care at all times.”
Authorities have since reiterated firearm safety guidelines for hunting activities, including proper target identification, awareness of surroundings beyond the target area, and ensuring that children and non-participants remain far from active hunting zones.
Police say ballistic findings expected in July will be critical in clarifying the events that led to the fatal shooting.
