Groblersdal is witnessing rising tensions ahead of the court appearance of Piet Groenewald, 63, and his stepson Stefan Greeff, 27.
Tensions boil in Groblersdal ahead of Groenewald’s court appearance
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The duo, charged with assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, has sparked a wave of protests and clashes between the EFF and farmers’ rights group, the Bittereindes.
Groenewald, owner of Wildlife Investigation and Protection Services (WIPS), and Greeff were arrested after a 30-year-old WIPS security guard accused them of assault.
The guard alleged that during an altercation, he was hit with a heavy object by the pair and attacked by their dog, leading to injuries on both legs.
The incident reportedly took place after Greeff accused the guard of being intoxicated while on duty at a mobile phone tower in Kwaggafontein, Mpumalanga.
Following this accusation, the guard was taken to WIPS’ office in Groblersdal, where the alleged assault occurred.
The matter escalated when the charge against Groenewald and Greeff was changed to attempted murder.
A local lawyer, Jacques Lessing, confirmed the updated charges, further fuelling the unrest in the community.
The EFF’s chairman in the Sekhukhune region, Ali Maloba, condemned the incident, criticising the treatment of workers by security companies.
In contrast, activist Willem Petzer rallied support for Groenewald and Greeff, urging farmers to show up in large numbers at the court in solidarity with the accused.
Elmarie Groenewald, Piet’s wife, also rallied residents to attend the court hearing, insisting that “the whole truth” is not yet known.
She claimed that the guard, who had only been employed for a week, was intoxicated and initiated the confrontation.
Groenewald and Greeff’s court hearing was ongoing when this article was published.
