Cele who addressed media outside the Senekal Magistrate’s Court on Friday, says law enforcement authorities conducted roadblocks outside the Free State town beginning on Thursday at 16:00. He says vehicles were searched and turned away when firearms were found inside the vehicles. He says only one person was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm, which is in stark contrast to reports on social media alleging a boot full of weapons were found outside the town.

Cele says the picture of a car boot full of weapons doing the rounds on social media is false, and has not been verified by any law enforcement officials.

State Security Minister, Ayanda Dlodlo, echoed Cele’s address adding that no “worrisome incidents” have been reported thus far. This implies the situation in Senekal has been relatively calm, despite the large number of people that have flocked to the town and the heavy police presence, indicating otherwise.

Meanwhile back in the Magistrate’s Court the two men accused of murdering a young farm manager, 21-year-old Brendin Horner, are pleading not guilty on charges of murder and robbery. The 32-year-old Sekwetje Mahlamba, testified during his bail application on Friday that he did not know his co-accused, 44-year old Sekola Matlaletsa, and denied ever being near the crime scene where Horner's body was found tied to a fence pole with injuries on his head and face at DeRots Farm. In his affidavit, Matlaletsa says the state does not have a strong case against him and that he is of the opinion that the state's case is circumstantial at best. The two were arrested by the police on 3 October in nearby Paul Roux. 

Police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele. earlier said "blood-stained clothes and shoes were found at the crime scene and will undergo forensic tests. The two men are alleged to be stock thieves and it is suspected that the deceased could have spotted them on that fateful day," Makhele has said.

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