All eyes on Senekal ahead of court appearance, protests

The two suspects arrested in connection with the murder of 21-year-old farm manager Brendin Horner are set to make their second appearance in court.

Sekwetje Isaiah Mahlamba (32) and Sekola Piet Matlaletsa (44) are expected to make a formal bail application after their first court appearance in the Senekal Magistrate's Court was disrupted by protesters. 

A group of protestors last week allegedly damaged court property, fired gunshots, and torched a police vehicle demanding that the pair be handed over them. The Senekal protests have since sparked racial tension and an outrage countrywide with many stating that it was an attack on the state.

Police Minister Bheki Cele has since met with the Horner family, while the farming community in Senekal has also called for calm.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema called for a mass gathering in the province on Friday, with the red berets out in their numbers in front of the court building from early in the morning. 

Malema has alleged that police officers failed to attend to the protests in protection of the white minority.

Horner's body was found tied to a pole in an open space situated at the De Rots farm in Paul Roux on October 1.