Town grieves for farmer

"Johnny Burger was no monster . perhaps he just couldn't handle being portrayed as one,'' said a school friend of the viticulturist and owner of the 149-year-old Rietvallei wine estate, in Robertson.

Yesterday Burger committed suicide on his farm. Five days earlier, he had stood in the dock at the Ashton Magistrate's Court charged with assaulting Flippie Engelbrecht, then 15, in 2008. Outside, an angry mob called for his head.

After the alleged assault Engelbrecht had brain surgery, which left him blind. He also developed epilepsy. His arms were amputated after he fell into a fire.

Engelbrecht, 20, like many residents of the town, cried yesterday when he heard Burger was dead.

"He is very sad, he feels sorry for the family of Mr Burger,'' said Carina Papenfus, his lawyer.

In town, residents of all races wept when they learned of the suicide.

"He was a good man, and so was his family. I served them as a waitress for eight years,'' said Samantha Stevens. "I will not forget the last thing he told me - that I was one of the friendliest people he had met. I couldn't stop crying.''

A former employee was so emotional she could barely speak.

"He was a terrific man; this is bad for every one,'' she said.

Tyler Olsen, manager of the Bourbon Street Restaurant, said the Burger family often dined there.

"I am very disappointed and sad to see where this country is going because this has escalated to friction between the races,'' said Olsen.

"His death is a loss to the town, where he was well liked and respected.''

The farm is the oldest in Robertson. It was bought by Burger's great, great-grandfather in 1864. Today, the estate's wine is sold internationally.

Burger and his farm manager, Wilhelm Treurnicht, appeared briefly in court on Thursday on two charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. Burger had denied assaulting Engelbrecht.

Eric Ntabazalila, spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority, would not comment on the suicide. Papenfus said it strengthened her client's case.

"It is a very clear indication of guilt," she said.

But Burger's childhood friend, who asked not to be named, said: "People would say things like that but that is not the man I know.

"He was a humble, soft-spoken family man. I never saw him angry - ever."