In his 30-minute ruling, Magistrate Buti Mlangeni delivered his judgment and characterised the suspect as a possible threat to the ongoing investigations by the police. He says this is evident because while in custody, Pienaar allegedly prepared people to give evidence that could exonerate him on the charges. He says while Pienaar and other protestors stormed the court holding cells on Tuesday 6 October, these actions could have led to the escape of detainees who were in lawful custody. Mlangeni adds that releasing Pienaar on bail could lead to shock or public outcry as this would be seen as endorsing lawlessness by the justice system. His case has been postponed to 20 November for further investigations while he remains in custody.

Mlangeni told Pienaar and his defence team that he was unable to say what is outstanding in the police investigation.

While delivering his judgment, the defence team of the accused, who appeared to be calm, shook their heads with what seemed to be disbelief with Mlangeni's judgment.

Meanwhile, his defence team last week - while arguing for his release on bail - brushed off the State's testimony by a leading police investigator Tshokolo Phusholi and labelled it as speculation. The defence team further accused the state of arresting to investigate rather than to investigate to arrest. The defence team added that the state does not have evidence that the accused influenced or incited the violence.

Last week's violence followed the appearance of two suspected murderers of the murdered 21-year-old Brendin Horner. Two suspected murderers, Sekwetje Mahlamba (32) and Sekola Matlaletsa (44), appeared in the Senekal Magistrate's Court for the first time on that Tuesday after being nabbed on Saturday for the alleged murder of Horner the week before at Paul Roux near Bethlehem. 

Meanwhile, in his affidavit, the accused mentioned that he was previously convicted for theft and sentenced to three years.

OFM News