A Free State farmer who was arrested after shooting dead three alleged robbers on his farm last week has been released from police custody.
A spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in the Free State Phaladi Shuping says the prosecutor did not enrol the case against the 37-year-old Pieter Swart, due to a lack of evidence.
He says the prosecutor did, however, request police to conduct a further investigation.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele says Swart, from the farm Boskoppie in the Kroonstad district, told police how he was overpowered by suspects when he opened his door on Thursday last week.
He says after a preliminary investigation was conducted at the scene, the investigators discovered a different version of events.
Makhele says the farmer was taken in for questioning which led to his detention.
He says it is a standard rule of law to press murder charges where there is a suspicion that any person seriously broke the law in the name of self-defence.
Police also arrested two men and a woman, all in their twenties.
The NPA's Shuping says after going through the docket, only one of the three people were charged for allegedly attacking Pieter Swart.
Lehlohonolo Modisadife appeared in court and remains in custody.
His case was remanded to the 22nd of February to apply for bail.
Swart was allegedly stabbed during the incident and received medical treatment before being detained.
