The Public Order Police were summoned after members of Sanca who were picketing outside the Bethal Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 14 February, closed the gates so that Mr Hendrik Abraham (Hein) Barnard (51) could not get out.
They eventually dispersed without any violence reported.
Mr Barnard was arrested in February last year and is being accused of being the mastermind behind a conspiracy to commit murder.
He was granted R30 000 bail in the Bethal Magistrate’s Court on 13 February.
It is alleged Mr Barnard hired Mr Sunboy Sibande (35) to recruit hitmen and paid R60 000 for the hitmen to kill the leader of a group of people living on one of his farms.
The three alleged hitmen, Messrs Bonginkosi Excellent Mnisi (33), Dumisani Robert Sambo (46) and Nomalanga Khumalo (49), were also arrested and are out on bail.
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Mr Howard Vilakazi, regional deputy secretary and regional spokesman, said Sanco in the Gert Sibande district is not pleased with the court and the local police.
“We wish to express unequivocally our utter dismay and disgust with the manner in which Bethal Magistrate’s Court and Bethal Police Station operates.
“Today, we witnessed that ‘justice’ serves only a few and the rich.
“Sanco took a decisive resolution to wage war against the abuse of farm dwellers and it was on this basis that Sanco picketed outside Bethal Magistrate’s Court on 16 November and to show support to the Mtsweni family and other farm dwellers who are abused daily by Bethal farmers.
“We were dismayed with the postponement of the trial date to 14 February, however, we respected the court’s decision.
“Members of Sanco went to Bethal Magistrate’s Court to see justice done for farm dwellers.
“Our Valentine’s Day mood was spoiled by the presiding officer and NPA’s decision to again postpone the trial.
“We viewed the decision of the court to be similar to that of the book “Animal farm”.
“They are biased and give special treatment to the few.
“Bethal has an ugly history which we would do well not to see a repeat of. Magistrates at Bethal Court are making decisions that are unduly influenced and interfered with by external forces in cases related to the victimisation of farm dwellers.
“We therefore call for judicial independence in Bethal Court, as protected and guaranteed by the South African Constitution, as well as impartiality on the bench and judges from being influenced in their adjudicatory tasks.
“Section 165(4) of the Constitution prescribes that organs of state through legislative and other measures must assist and protect the courts in order to ensure their independence, impartiality, dignity, accessibility and effectiveness.
“Sanco has officially lodged a complaint with the Department of Justice regarding the conduct of its officials and the manner in which cases related to victimisation of farm dwellers are being handled in Bethal.”
The case was postponed to 26 March.
