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- A farmer who delivered a moving speech that may have led a group of farmers to break into Senekal Magistrates Court remains in detention.
- Farmers and supporters were apparently trying to gain access to two men accused of murdering 21-year-old farm manager Brendin Horner.
- Horner was stabbed and found with a rope around his neck and tied to a post in Paul Roux in the Free State.
The farmer who allegedly incited a crowd of supporters to storm the Senekal Magistrates Court on Tuesday remains in custody after his arrest.
Netwerk24 reports that André Pienaar, a farmer from Marquard, is detained in Bethlehem after being arrested in connection with Tuesday’s violence at Senekal Magistrates Court.
The 52-year-old is expected to face charges of malicious damage to property and public violence, News24 previously reported.
On Tuesday, thousands of farmers flocked to the small town of Senekal to protest after the murder of farm manager Brendin Horner.
The 21-year-old, who ran a farm in Paul Roux, was killed and found with a rope around his neck and tied to a post.
The defendants, Sekwetje Mahlamba and Sekola Matlaletsa, were arrested and briefly appeared in court on Tuesday, when the case was postponed until October 16.
Pienaar’s attorney, Ilanie Oberholzer of NO Oelofse Attorneys in Senekal, said in a press release that her client was fine under the circumstances.
André Pienaar allegedly implored a police officer to allow the farmers access to the accused.
André Pienaar, a farmer from Marquard, gave a moving speech in Senekal on Tuesday.
SEE | Police van burned as farmers raid holding cells for accused Brendin Horner murder
“We will not be able to submit a bail request [on Wednesday evening] because we have to wait for the charge sheet. Investigators say it will probably only be done (on Thursday) because the investigation is not over, “said Oberholzer.[OnThursday)becausetheinvestigationhasnotbeenfinalised”Oberholzersaid[onThursday)becausetheinvestigationhasnotbeenfinalised”Oberholzersaid
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.
A police vehicle was set on fire in Senekal on Tuesday.
HOW IT WAS DEPLOYED | Assassination of Brendin Horner: a chronology of violence, protests and shootings
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 Riaan Grobler
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