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| The late Brendin Horner. Photo: Facebook |
A 21-year-old farm manager, Brendin Horner, was fatally hanged in the town of Paul Roux, Free State at the beginning of this month.
His death received widespread condemnation and outrage in many parts of South Africa.
And for a while it seemed Brendin’s passing would actually unite many different stakeholders when, on 5th October, in a joint statement; the office of the National Commissioner of Police, Agri SA, TLU SA and AfriForum; said that police and farming sector would “work closely together to ensure rural safety”.
According to their statement: “The National Commissioner of the South African Police, General Khehla John Sitole together with other senior officers engaged in a meeting with Agri SA, TLU SA and AfriForum in Pretoria this morning (5th October) in an effort to address matters of criminality affecting the rural communities. All parties engaged in robust discussions on interventions that of which matters of mutual trust, reservist system, a rural safety summit, cross border crime affecting the farming community and the Economics of Policing (Policingnomics) were highlighted.
“The National Commissioner has again reiterated unwavering commitment of the South African Police Service to prioritise crimes in rural areas both proactively and reactively. The meeting agreed to formalise the establishment of the national and local Joint Rural Safety Command Centres and in doing so this will realise an integration of both personnel and resources, among others, the use of helicopters and drones. These centres will be responsible to jointly implement the operational plan of the rural safety strategy which will address the issues of mutual trust as well as achieving the ultimate objective of significantly reducing crime in the rural areas.
“Fighting crimes, including farm attacks, in rural communities through visibility, the meeting further agreed that it is imperative to customise community policing through the establishment of community-based mounted units, the Royal Reserve Police Service as part of the Traditional Policing concept as well as the Tourism Reservists. There was also emphasis placed on addressing within a task team, the practical challenges with the recruitment and utilization of reservists to make it more accessible for the farming community.
“The National Commissioner had further reiterated the SAPS Turnaround Vision: Comprehensive Rural Development which states: ‘The combating of stock theft and farm attacks, implementation of the Rural Safety Strategy which focuses on rural safety, infrastructure and a rural safety framework.’”
“The implementation of stabilisation interventions in hotspot areas is critical to ensuring an effective proactive approach,” said General Sitole for his part.
Cross border crime affecting the farming community were discussed and emphasis was placed on “resourcing police stations at the border, improving intelligence and the establishment of cross border liaison committees”.
Sitole added: “Crime intelligence will enhance its approach in determining the hotspot areas through its continued participation in the priority committee meetings all levels of policing as well as the establishment of a Rural Safety Analysis desk.”
The meeting agreed that “an integrated team will urgently address the security concerns in the Tlhakgaming area in the North West among others” and that “this high-level committee will convene on a quarterly basis to monitor progress of the implementation of the Rural Safety Strategy and decisions taken at previous meetings”.
However, the positive sentiment expressed at this vital meeting was somewhat overshadowed two days later by heated moments at the Senekal Magistrate Court where the two men, accused in the Brendin Horner murder case, made their appearance.
There were protests and disruptions during the court proceedings and a 52-year-old male (said to be a farmer from Marquad) was arrested after court property and a police van were allegedly damaged. He appeared in court on Tuesday, 13th October, whilst police continue their investigations, anticipating more arrests. The man was denied bail.
“We would like to commend the team for this speedy response. We believe that ongoing relations between the police and farmers and farming communities will assist in putting this matter into rest and ensure that justice prevails,” said Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane.
Meanwhile the Police Ministry issued the following statement regarding the ordeal at Senekal: “Police Minister, General Bheki Cele welcomed the arrest of the first suspect involved in the violent demonstrations by a group of farmers outside the Senekal Magistrates Court.
“On Tuesday (7th), chaotic scenes unfolded outside the court building, following a court appearance by two suspects accused of the murder of farm manager, Brendin Horner. The group of armed demonstrators, among them armed farmers, stormed into the court building demanding the two suspects be handed over. The lawless acts that have been widely condemned, resulted in the vandalism of court property and a police vehicle was also overturned and set alight.
“Minister Cele is encouraged that a 52-year-old farmer has been arrested for his role in the alleged torching of the police vehicle. Cele is calling for more arrests as it is clear the criminality that took place was a collective act that threatened the rule of law.”
Meanwhile AfriForum’s Deputy CEO Ernst Roets said: “People are very angry (at Brendin’s murder) but people are also very sad. People have expressed their sympathy with the family. Having said that, I think there are two important messages that came out today. The one is, people regard what happened to Brendin Horner as something that happened to them as well. They regard this as a bigger body and if you mutilate the hand then you mutilate the body. If you cut the ear, you cut the body and if you amputate the foot then the body. And I think that’s how our people feel, they take it personally, they see it as an attack on the community. They want to express their condolences.”
The two suspects in the Horner case are: Sekwetje Isaiah Mahlamba (32) and Sekola Piet Matlaletsa (44), who will remain in custody and are expected to next appear in court on 16th October.
Describing the court incident soon after it occurred, the SAPS Office of the Provincial Commissioner Free State said: “Unfortunately after court adjournment an unruly group of farmers stormed the court building demanding that the suspects be handed over to them. They damaged the court property while forcing their way to the court cells. A police van parked outside the court building was also overturned and burned. The police deployments are trying to get the situation under control while other reinforcement is on the way. Thus far situation is tense but under control. Two shots were fired from this group but no one was injured. More deployments will be in the area to make sure that order prevail.”
To help calm things, JCPS ministers announced they would visit Paul Roux on 13th October where Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele together with Minister of State Security, Ms. Ayanda Dlodlo MP, visited the family of the slain farm manager Brendin Horner.
The ministers said: “Today we visited the community of Senekal to meet with the farming communities following the events that took place on 6 October 2020. The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster is mandated to ensure that all people in South Africa are and feel safe in their homes, places of work and businesses whilst they carry on with their lives. Law enforcement authorities are currently in the area to restore calm and order in the Free State community. Government reaffirms its position that the safety and security of all people in South Africa remains its key priority.
“Ministers in the JCPS Cluster visited the Horner family home to offer condolences and assure them that government is doing everything in its power to ensure that there is justice for Mr. Brendin Horner. We were well received by the family and owner of the farm, Mr. Scheepers.”
Family spokesperson, Gilly Scheepers said regarding the visit: “We really appreciate it 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.”
The ministers added: “Government would like to take this opportunity to extend its condolences to families, friends, colleagues and neighbors of all farmers and workers who have been attacked or killed. Ministers have commended the communities and the police for their swift response in arresting and bringing to justice the perpetrators of these criminal acts.”
Regarding the upcoming court appearance of the suspects, they said: “The suspects in the murder case of Mr. Brendin Horner are set to appear in court on 16 October 2020 and Government would like to appeal to members of the community to remain calm and avoid breaking the law or taking the law into their own hands. Law enforcement agencies will be on the ground to ensure that everyone attending the proceedings are and feel safe.”
They also spoke about the need for prioritized rural safety and development of rural areas, stating: “Government takes rural safety seriously which is demonstrated through the recent establishment of the national and local Joint Rural Safety Command Centers agreed to between the SAPS and the farming sector. Government appeals to the community to be calm during this period and to allow the law enforcement agencies an opportunity to do their job. By acting within the law, citizens can make our communities safer and more secure. Irrespective of how angry or unhappy any person or community is, the law cannot be taken into one’s own hands. Government condemns the violence and takes a dim view against those who murder other human beings. This extends not only to farmers and farm workers but to members of society in general. Farmers and farm workers are the backbone of our economy and nothing can justify the criminal activity associated with these attacks and killings. These senseless killing of farmers and their workers affects all South Africans and threaten food security, employment, economic growth and job creation.
“The safety and stability of farming communities is critical in providing South Africa with food and creation of jobs. Criminals take advantage of the farming community because of their isolation and non-proximity to other communities. Government is fast tracking the implementation of the revised Rural Safety Strategy to respond to the security needs of rural communities as well as support social and economic development. Government will continue to use the District Development Model to ensure that critical infrastructure development in the country benefits rural areas.
“Members of the public are encouraged to assist SAPS members in performing their duties by joining Community Police Forums, which ensure constant liaison between communities and the police. Responsible and active citizenry is the bedrock of any democracy and ensures the protection of human life and property. Together we can make our country safer for all and ensure that we live in dignity and at peace with one another. Report crime at your local police station, or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 which is available 24 hours a day.”
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