Pretoria – North West police on Thursday arrested the 33-year-old owner of a farm near Swartruggens after he allegedly shot an 11-year-old girl in the arm.

According to an initial police investigation, the girl and some friends wanted to collect firewood on the farm on Wednesday, Netwerk24 reported.

The farm owner shouted at them to stop, said police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone.

“The girls apparently ran in different directions and the 11-year-old realised that her left arm was bleeding.”

It is not clear what weapon was used in the shooting.

Her mother took her to hospital.

The girl’s parents informed the police and the owner of the farm handed himself over to police on Thursday.

He will appear in the Swartruggens Magistrate’s Court soon on a charge of attempted murder.