Police detectives in Petrus Steyn in the Free State are investigating a case of culpable homicide after a farmworker was run over by a tractor.
Spokesperson Constable Puleng Lebakeng says the 25-year-old was just hired as a farm worker and it was his first day on the job.
It is alleged that he was with another worker who took him on a test drive with the tractor to see if he could manage the vehicle.
Lebakeng says whilst driving he lost control and fell to the ground when the tractor subsequently ran over him,
His colleague survived with no injuries.
The Cluster Commander for the Bethlehem police Major General Jan Tsotetsi says he was very disturbed to hear about the worker's death.
"It's a known fact that people are looking for jobs however it doesn't mean people should risk their lives and end up driving vehicles knowingly that they are not authorized to do so". he said
