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The murder of the Free State farm manager, Brendin Horner, 21, has outraged the farming community, which demanded justice Tuesday when two suspects appeared in court.
Horner was found dead at the DeRots farm on Friday. His body had been tied to a post.
Two suspects Sekwetje Isaiah Mahlamba, 32, and Sekola Piet Matlaletse, 44, were arrested on Saturday.
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Police launch chase after murder
Horner was employed as a manager by Gilly Scheepers and worked on the Bloukruin farm. She celebrated an anniversary since her employment the day she was assassinated.
Free State Police spokesman Brig Motantsi Makhele said Horner suffered head and face injuries and was tied to the post with a rope around his neck. A knife was seized at the scene and his Toyota Hilux was later found with blood stains.
His murder was widely condemned by agricultural groups.
Agricultural strategist Dr. Jaco De Villiers said the attacks on farmers are also an attack on food production. He said that if the farm killings don’t stop, there could be more bloodshed.
Koos Odendaal, who oversees security in farming communities in the Free State and the Eastern Cape, said farmers will overcome this “wave” of attacks and said they are considering comprehensive measures to protect themselves.
Arrests
Police pounced on two suspects at Fateng tse Ntsho in Paul Roux on Saturday. Makhele said they were found with blood-stained shoes and clothing that were taken for forensic testing.
He said police believe Horner may have seen the two men, suspected of being cattle thieves, before he was killed.
Makhele said the suspects would appear in Senekal magistrates court on Tuesday.
A hardworking man
Scheepers said Horner was a kind, hardworking young man who was loved by everyone on the farm. On the day of his death, he was happy because he was celebrating his first working anniversary for the family.
She said that her death had affected her family and that her father had asked for privacy. Scheepers said he last saw Horner on Thursday shortly after 6 p.m. when he left. Then she went to visit her father at the neighboring farm.
His girlfriend, Lenize Taljaard, was concerned when he did not come home that night, prompting a police search. Scheepers hired a private investigator and offered a reward of R50,000 to secure the prosecution.
His close friend, Gwyneth Visagie, said Horner “meant the world” to his family and friends and his death came as a shock to all who loved him.
Indignation
Demonstrators gathered in large numbers in the Free State city on Tuesday while carrying banners with the words “remember their names” and “enough is enough.”
National Police Commissioner Khehla Sitole said authorities were discussing interventions for farm killing hotspots.
Southern Africa Agriculture Initiative (Saai) President Theo de Jager said the plight of farmers in South Africa was making international headlines and they were frustrated with the state’s inaction.
Violent protests
The two suspects appeared in court on Tuesday and Makhele said the matter was postponed to October 16 for a formal request for bail.
He said a group of angry farmers demanded that the suspects be turned over to them. after court proceedings, and reported that they damaged judicial property while forcibly heading to the cells.
A police van parked outside the courthouse was set on fire. Two shots were fired, but no one was injured, Makhele said.
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