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A police vehicle on fire after a protest action in Senekal.
PHOTO: Mlungisi Louw / Netwerk24
- A second arrest has been made related to the chaos that unfolded in Senekal Magistrates Court last week.
- This as farmers and their supporters were apparently trying to gain access to two men accused of murdering farm manager Brendin Horner last week.
- Horner was stabbed and found with a rope around his neck and tied to a post in Paul Roux in the Free State two weeks ago.
Another arrest has been made in connection with the burning of a police vehicle at the Senekal Magistrates Court in the Free State last week.
Police spokesman Brigadier Vish Naidoo confirmed the arrest and said a 33-year-old man had been detained. He will face charges of public violence, arson, intentional damage to property and attempted murder.
The man, who resides in Senekal, owns a towing service. He is expected to appear in Senekal Magistrates Court on Monday.
The arrest was also confirmed by Police Ministry spokesperson Lirandzu Themba in a tweet.
[JUST IN] Another suspect has been arrested for the riots that took place in #Senekal last week. A 33-year-old man is charged with attempted homicide, public violence, arson and intentional damage to property. You must appear in court on Monday, October 19, 2020.
– LirandzuTemba (@LirandzuThemba) October 16, 2020
On Tuesday last week, thousands of farmers flocked to the small town of Senekal to protest the murder of farm manager Brendin Horner, 21.
Horner, who ran a farm in Paul Roux, was killed and found with a rope around his neck and tied to a post.
Defendants Sekwetje Mahlamba and Sekola Matlaletsa were arrested and briefly appeared in court on Tuesday, when the case was postponed to Friday.
André Pienaar, a farmer from Marquard, is detained in Bethlehem after his arrest.
The 52-year-old is expected to face charges of malicious damage to property and public violence, News24 previously reported.
Pienaar delivered a moving speech in the back of a bakkie outside court on Tuesday and allegedly encouraged people to break into the courthouse and catch the defendant.
During an altercation, a police vehicle was overturned and set on fire. There were also reports of judicial property damage.
Police Minister Bheki Cele and Justice Minister Ronald Lamola have condemned the incident.
In Wednesday’s statement, police said that following the violent incident in court on Tuesday, an investigation team led by a senior officer was appointed to investigate and identify those responsible for the public violence.
– Compiled by Nicole McCain
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