During media houses’ collective application to enter the courthouse, the state was heard arguing investigations into Brendin Horner’s brutal murder in early October are at a sensitive stage. OFM News’ Olebogeng Motse reports eNCA journalist Govan Whittles and News24’s Alex Mitchley were amongst the three journalists chosen to represent the media fraternity in the application.

When briefing their fellow colleagues on the status of the application, Whittles and Mitchley revealed the prosecution has expressed their displeasure at having their faces filmed. The defence has surprisingly come out in favour of media coverage, adding that there have been far more complex court matters than this one that have been greenlit for broadcast. 

The state has revealed their concerns that the criminal case will be compromised if written about and/or broadcast in the media. 

The Senekal Magistrate’s Court thereafter agreed that only three members of the media could gain entry due to social distancing concerns, however, some push-back from members of the media led to them being allowed in, albeit with limited space inside. 

Sekwetje Isaiah Mahlamba and Sekola Piet Matlaletsa, aged 32 and 44 years respectively, are currently appearing before the Senekal Magistrate’s Court for the second time since their arrest in early October in connection with the brutal murder of 21-year-old farm manager Brendin Horner. The deceased’s body was found tied to a fence pole in an open space situated at the De Rots farm at Paul Roux on October the 1st.  

During a meeting with concerned farmers on Tuesday, the police minister Bheki Cele was informed by the farming community that one suspect in the murder case has been arrested 16 times by the police. The bulk of the arrests were for stock theft. He also mentioned that the second suspect in the murder case of Horner was arrested three times, of which once was for stock theft. The confirmation follows after the Chairperson of the Bethlehem Agricultural Union and Security, Herkie Viljoen, told Cele and State Security Minister, Ayanda Dlodlo, that farmers in the area of the Eastern Free State around Bethlehem lose over R1 million to stock theft every month.

Viljoen made a passionate plea with Cele and Dlodlo to act with urgency to curb the issues that have besieged the farming community around this area for years. He said farmers have since 2019 been waiting for a response after they wrote and drafted a report which was sent to Pretoria, meant for Cele and other ministers. Viljoen told Cele and Dlodlo that government cannot continue to overlook the plight of farmers.

When the duo first made their court appearance over a week ago, a group of disgruntled protesters allegedly damaged court property in retaliation for the murder, overturning and torching a police van. Senekal resident and former farmer, André Pienaar, has been arrested and denied bail in connection with the unrest.

The town of Senekal on Friday is buzzing with EFF members and a few members of the African National Congress (ANC) in their green and yellow regalia. Not only are the streets filled to capacity but there is a heavy police presence in the town. Vehicles are searched and screened for weapons at a roadblock upon entering the town.

OFM News