A PARYS farmer has been charged with attempted murder after one of his workers was knocked and ran over with a tractor.

Mbulelo April, who may not be able to walk again, was injured on January 15 but his employer was only arrested last Friday.

"We were ploughing in the farm. I was walking in front of the tractor directing the guy who was driving it. Then my boss came and took the tractor and drove it himself," he said.

April of Tumahole said his employer, Riane van der Westhuizen, drove straight to him and knocked him over with the tractor.

He said Van der Westhuizen did not stop to check on him

"He came when the guy who initially drove the tractor told him I could not rise. My legs were numb," he said.

The incident left April with broken thighs and fractured back bones.

He said Van der Westhuizen took him in his bakkie to the hospital. When contacted, Van der Westhuizen said: "The matter is sub judice."

He was only arrested last Friday after the intervention of Free State Premier Ace Magashule, MEC for agriculture Mamiki Qabathe and local ANC councillor Jabulani Mbele.

He was released on a R5000 bail and will appear in court again on April 21 .