For not having handed his horses over to the proper military authorities, whereby they fell into the hands of the enemy.
2.

For having been on friendly terms with the enemy.
3.

For having failed to report the presence of the enemy.
He was found guilty on the first and last charges and not guilty on the second count, being sentenced to six months' hard labour and to pay a fine of L500, or to suffer a further term of twelve months' hard labour in lieu of the fine.

The sentence was confirmed, the fine was paid by Mr.
Schoeman, and he underwent the imprisonment for one month with hard labour and for five months without hard labour, which was remitted upon order from Lord Kitchener, who, without even being fully instructed as to the circumstances of the case, of his own accord lightened the terrible sentence passed upon Mr.Schoeman.
Later on Mr.Schoeman was cleared of the calumnies that had been the cause of his suffering.

In this case, as in many others, the victim was the object of the private vengeance of a man who had had a grudge against him, and repaid it in that abominable manner.
One of the worst mistakes among the many committed during the South African War was to allow residents to be invested with what was nothing less than unlimited authority over their fellow-citizens.