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Government will do all it can to ensure justice for Brendin Horner - Cele

Lirandzu Themba - Ministry spokesperson


Police Minister Bheki Cele has given the assurance that the government was doing everything in its power to ensure that there was justice for the murdered farm manager, Brendin Horner.

The Minister gave the assurance after meeting the Horner family on Tuesday where he and State Security Minister, Ayanda Dlodlo, offered their condolences.

The 21-year-old Horner was found brutally murdered on the De Rots farm in the Free State farm on 2 October.

Two men have since been arrested for his murder and made their first court appearance last week.

This sparked chaos and inflamed tensions after a police vehicle was overturned and torched, and a group of people tried to storm the Senekal Magistrate's Court.

A 51-year-old businessman, Andre Pienaar, was subsequently arrested and charged with attempted murder, public violence, incitement and possibly also with terrorism.

He was denied bail on Tuesday and his case was postponed to 20 November.

In a statement, Minister Cele said the security cluster delegation had been well received.

Horner family spokesperson, Gilly Scheepers, was quoted as saying that "we really appreciate the visit and we really hope it will bring a turning point in the tension in this area."

"It is unfortunate, but maybe the loss of a young man's life will bring peace and stability in the farming community in South Africa," he said.

Minister Cele meanwhile called for calm ahead of Friday's court appearance of Sekwetje Mahlamba (32) and Sekola Matlaletsa (44), who were arrested in Paul Roux in connection with Horner's murder.

"Law enforcement agencies will be on the ground to ensure that everyone attending the proceedings feel safe," he said.

The Police Minister also reiterated that government takes rural safety seriously which is demonstrated through the recent establishment of the national and local Joint Rural Safety Command Centres agree on between SAPS and the farming sector.