Farmer Marcel Nel was this week found guilty of killing 11-year-old Sello Pele in Thabazimbi, Limpopo province. Sello had been playing with friends when the shooting occurred. But the magistrate agreed with the farmer that the black boy's white jersey and black pants fitted the description of a "dog with rabies".

The magistrate convicted Mr Nel of the lesser charge of culpable homicide instead of murder. He allowed the farmer to walk away with a fine. Outraged black organisations said the sentence would send the message that "black life is cheap".