Police Minister Bheki Cele aims at Senekal protesters who thronged at Senekal Magistrate Court protesting against the brutal murder of Brendin Horner (21).
The brutal murder of Brendin Horner, a farm supervisor triggered emotions amoungst South Africans as the fight against farm murders continues to be given a blind eye by authorities.
The 21-year-old Horner’s body was found early on Friday morning in a field on a farm in the vicinity of Paul Roux in the Free State. He apparently had several stab wounds, as well as a head wound. His knuckles were reportedly bloodied as he allegedly tried to fend off his attackers.
The brutal murder of Horner caused anger and dismay and people were asked to attend the court appearance of the two suspects arrested shortly after the murder.
The case against the two accused in the murder of Brendin Horner (21) has been postponed until October 16. The two men, aged 32 and 43 respectively, are not expected to apply for bail until then. Police arrested them on Saturday in the Fateng Tse Ntsho neighborhood in Paul Roux.
Demonstrations outside the court ended in violence as protesters fired shots in an attempt to get their hands on the accused, over turned and burnt police vehicles.
Police Minister Bheki Cele has called the police to do their job and arrest those responsible for tourture of police vehicles during the Senekal protests.
According to the police statement, lawlessness can’t be justified nor taken lightly.
Police Minister, General Bheki Cele has learnt with shock and disgust of the demonstration by a group of farmers outside the Senekal Magistrates Court, which resulted in arson and vandalism.
Minister Cele has condemned the actions by protesters who gathered outside court demanding justice for the murdered farm manager, Brandon Horner.
Two suspects appeared in court on Tuesday 06 October 2020, for the brutal killing on the 21-year-old.
Police reports indicate that following the brief court appearance, around a hundred demonstrators, among them armed farmers, stormed into the court building demanding the suspects be handed over.
This violent act resulted in the vandalism of court property and a police vehicle was also overturned and set alight.
Police had to use teargas to disperse the violent group.
Minister Cele is adamant that such criminal behaviour will never be tolerated. He has called on police to act swiftly and arrest those responsible.
“While we all condemn the gruesome killing of this young man in Paul Roux, absolutely no one has the right to take the law into their own hands – no matter what the situation is. This type of lawlessness can’t be justified nor taken lightly.”
Cele has questioned the demonstrators’ motives when turning their anger towards the police.
“There is no logic when these protestors burn a police van, which is the same resource that is meant to assist them. It is also baffling why the anger of this community is being directed towards the police, when arrests have been made by the police and the suspects are before the courts.” -Cele concluded.
General Cele wishes to remind all South Africans that the right to peaceful protest is part of any democratic society and is enshrined in our Constitution. However, the right to protest is not absolute and it comes with responsibilities.
Ends
Also Read: Farm Attacks and Murders in South Africa: List of daily farm attacks and murders