Farmer 'traumatised' by impala2006-06-13 12:01:31http://www.news24.com/Images/Photos/20060613113920Impala.gifA couple from the Letsitele district in Limpopo has been ordered to pay R73 500 to a farmer who had been attacked by an impala they were allegedly rehabilitating. Pretoria - A couple from the Letsitele district in Limpopo has been ordered to pay R73 500 to a farmer who had been attacked by an impala they were allegedly rehabilitating.
Judge Willie Hartzenberg ruled in the Pretoria High Court last week that Marguerite Louise Joubert and André Grobler pay damages to Hillebrandus Cornelius Klinkert, also from the district.

Klinkert was attacked on the couple's farm in February 2004. He initially claimed R150 000 damages for pain and suffering, emotional shock and trauma.

The antelope's horns penetrated Klinkert's thighs, barely missing the arteries. He also suffered a deep cut to his right hand and left calf and bruises to his back and chest.

Afterwards he suffered insomnia and whenever he did manage to sleep, he was plagued by nightmares, according to court documents.

Trying to rehabilitate

Klinkert argued that Joubert had been negligent, as no notices were displayed to warn visitors against "dangerous animals" on the premises. He stated that he had battled with the animal for about half an hour before somebody arrived to help him.

Joubert argued that Klinkert had acted negligently by trying to corner the antelope in an enclosure.

She said they were rehabilitating the impala in order to release it back into nature.

They denied that the antelope was tame.