A FREE State farmer has been charged with the attempted murder of his domestic worker. Jacobus van Zyl, 22, of Uitsig farm near Bethlehem, allegedly attacked Malau Emily Malinga, 45, last Thursday. According to the police report he punched her in the face, kicked her and tried to drown her in a cattle drinking trough. When she tried to escape he reportedly set his dogs on her. Van Zyl will appear in the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court on March 31. Asked about the motive for the attack, Van Zyl said he had apprehended a man for suspected theft and Malinga had released the suspect. Van Zyl later laid counter charges of assault against Malinga, who had to be hospitalised after the attack.