The two alleged repeated offenders - who still have pending cases of stock theft against them - were nabbed in October, two days after Horner's murder. Accused number one, Sekwetje Mahlamba (32), and co-accused, Sekola Matlaletsa (44), previously appeared in court and only Matlaletsa was granted bail of R5000.  

Matlaletsa was later re-arrested after his release, for a stock theft case separate from the Horner matter. The two pleaded not guilty to the murder and robbery charges and thus far there allegedly hasn't been any tangible material evidence such as DNA results which directly links them to the murder of Horner. The suspect's legal team is expected to ask for a postponement.

The two suspects were arrested by the Senekal detectives at Fateng Tse Ntsho in Paul Roux after Horner's body was found in a clearing on the farm with injuries on his head and face, and tied to a pole with a rope around his neck.

According to reports police received a call from other farmers reporting the attack at the De Rots Farm and while police were on the scene, seized a knife from the scene and his Toyota Hilux was later found with bloodstains abandoned near the Duikfontein Farm in Paul Roux.

During the bail application of the two men, it was alleged by the state that evidence such as blood-stained trousers, amongst others, was found at Mahlamba's shanty.

The State's witness and the leading investigator, Captain Pieter Myburgh, previously told Magistrate Deon van Rooyen, that according to witnesses Mahlamba and co-accused Matlaletsa were allegedly heard bragging about how they stabbed a white male who was giving them problems.

Mahlamba was allegedly seen with the wallet belonging to the deceased at a local tavern in Fateng Tse Ntsho in Paul Roux before their arrest on the night of 3 October.

According to another witnesses' statement, it's alleged that Mahlamba in the company of Matlaletsa and the third unidentified man were seen descending from behind the mountains from the direction where the attack on Horner had taken place at the De Rots farm. His clothes were allegedly bloodstained.

OFM News