The pre-trial of the murder suspects of Horner in Paul Roux commenced on Monday in the Circuit High Court, sitting in Bethlehem in the Free State.

Horner’s body was found tied to a fence on the farm where he worked outside Paul Roux.

His killing sparked racial tensions, thrusting the small Free State town into focus.

Both the accused were released on bail. They have denied any wrongdoing and told the court they intend to plead not guilty.

READ MORE: Trial date set in FS for #BrendinHorner murder case

OFM News' earlier reported five police officials and two animal stockbrokers were arrested in July 2021 on charges of stock theft.

Singo adds that the arrests of these seven suspects, aged between 28 and 50, followed the murder of Brendin Horner in October 2020. Furthermore, the suspects are facing charges of stock theft, defeating the ends of justice, and perjury, says Singo. 

READ MORE: Cops expected in court for stock theft following #BrendinHorner's murder

Singo concluded by saying that ”the Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in the Free State, Major General K. Moodley, has applauded the multi-disciplinary task team for the arrests of suspects allegedly involved in stock theft cases in the Free State Province.”

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping, afterwards said accused 1 - 5 were each released on bail of R2 000. Accused 6 and 7 were granted bail of R10 000 each, and the case was postponed to 22 September for further investigation. 

READ MORE: Cops out on bail after #BrendinHorner murder

News24 earlier reported that Hawks spokesperson Christopher Singo said the arrests stemmed from allegations by community members that police were involved in stock theft following the murder of Horner. The allegations were made during Police Minister Bheki Cele's engagement with the community after Horner's death. 

"The minister of police visited the Eastern Free State, where farmers made allegations against police officials allegedly involved in stock theft. A multi-disciplinary task team was established to investigate these allegations, which led to the arrest of police officials and animal stock brokers. During the arrest of two stock brokers, police also discovered two unlicensed firearms," said Singo.

In October, during the bail application of Sekwetje Mahlamba and Sekola Matlaletsa - the men charged with Horner's murder, who was strangled on a farm in Paul Roux - News24 reported that police involvement in stock theft was under the spotlight. 

During the application, Matlaletsa's lawyer questioned one of the investigating officers, Captain Gerhardus Myburgh, about the police's alleged involvement in stock theft syndicates, to which he confirmed there was evidence police officers were complicit in the syndicates.

The group has been charged with stock theft, defeating the administration of justice, and perjury, while the stock brokers face additional charges of possession of unlicensed firearms.

eNCA