Andre Pienaar, one of the rioters who stormed into the Senekal Magistrate’s Court and damaged court property, among other things, has been denied bail.
Andre Pienaar denied bail: Here’s what we know
As reported by News24, the 51-year-old rioter has been accused of inciting the chaos that unfolded in the Free State court last week.
The State has held its position that it was Pienaar who allegedly convinced the angered farmers to storm into Senekal Magistrate’s Court and haul out the two suspects accused of the brutal and heartless murder of young farm manager Brendin Horner.
Pienaar is not a farmer but a construction business owner who, much like the rest of the country, has been rocked by the heinous nature of Horner’s death.
However, according to Magistrate Buti Mlangeni, it was not his responsibility — or that of the scores of rioters who descended upon the court — to bring justice in the death of Horner.
Therefore, on the charges of attempted murder, public violence and incitement to violence, Pienaar has pleaded not guilty but he will be remanded in custody until the commencement of his trial, the date of which has yet to be confirmed.
Brendin Horner murder case update
On the matter of Horner’s murder case, proceedings are expected to return to the court roll on Thursday, where the two suspects, Sekwetje Mahlamba and Sekola Matlaletsa, will make their second appearance.
Police in the area would have been briefed on the impending tensions that will hover over the court premises when anti-farm murder activists standoff with members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
It’s not confirmed if, indeed, Julius Malema and his battalion will travel to Senekal on Thursday but with regards to invoking unrest, he is a man who rarily minces his words.