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Farmer convicted of murder, attempted murder after shooting at funeral procession on his farm

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Edward Philip Walter Solomon was convicted of murder and attempted murder in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg.
Edward Philip Walter Solomon was convicted of murder and attempted murder in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg.
PHOTO: Nash Narrandes

A KwaZulu-Natal farmer was convicted of murder and attempted murder for firing at a funeral procession on his farm, injuring one person and killing another.

The KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg convicted Edward Philip Walter Solomon, 69, on Wednesday in connection with the December 2017 incident on his farm in Cramond, near New Hanover, said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara.

Solomon lived on the farm and the victims, Mothi Ngubane and Mondli Lembede, lived on a homestead on the same property.

Ramkisson-Kara said:

On the day of the incident, Ngubane and Lembede were part of a funeral procession at the homestead when Solomon interrupted and asked mourners to leave the area. When they refused to do so, he fired a shot, injuring Lembede, and he fatally shot Ngubane. He then fled to his house.

According to The Witness, after Solomon demanded that those attending the Lembede family member's funeral leave his farm, Lembede approached him to talk to him. Solomon reportedly fired five shots.

The matter has been postponed to 3 October 2022 for pre-sentencing reports.

Solomon's bail was cancelled and he is in custody.

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