A JOHANNESBURG man who allegedly shot dead his domestic worker's grandson after mistaking him for an intruder will only go on trial on March 15 next year.

Warren Vorster, 35, appeared briefly in the Johannesburg high court yesterday on a murder charge.

He is accused of killing Kgopotso Ramolefe, 12, on June 30 2009. He is out on R5000 bail.

Vorster was called by his domestic worker, Elizabeth Ramolefe, who said there was an intruder on the premises and Kgopotso was in danger.

Vorster, of Parkmore in Sandton, got his hunting rifle from the safe in the main house's passage and fired a shot, instantly killing the boy.

The prosecution said yesterday they were waiting for a response on submissions they had made to the national prosecuting authority.

During bail application Vorster said he had had no intention to kill the boy.

"I had no reason to harm Kgopotso, I was very fond of the boy. I send my sincere condolences to the rest of his family, his grandmother Elizabeth and his mother, Florence," the statement read.

State prosecutor Gary Famando read two statements - one from a policeman who was on the scene and another from Ramolefe - that confirmed Vorster's version of events.

Inspector Derrick Macintosh said when he entered the outside room he found Vorster doing CPR on the boy, with the hunting rifle lying on the bed.

"He was clearly shaken and very upset."