This is the Free State MEC of Police, Roads, and Transport Sam Mashinini's response following the 'boisterous behaviour' by a group at court proceedings in Senekal on Tuesday. A large group of people, some who travelled long distances to Senekal in support of Horner's family and friends, gathered outside court on Tuesday. A group of people forcefully entered the Magistrate's Court in an attempt to see the suspects. A police vehicle was overturned and burned, according to the police. Hillary Mophethe, spokesperson of the department, says Mashinini strongly condemns this. OFM News's Christal-Lize Muller spoke to Mophethe...

See PODCAST at end of page

She says Mashinini does not condemn the gathering outside the Senekal Magistrate's Court, but the boisterous behaviour by a group of people do not carry his approval. 

Mashinini regards the Horner murder as an atrocious killing but the behaviour of the group of people will not be tolerated. She says Mashinini is clear about the fact that no person has the absolute right to take the law out of their hands. The department will therefore not allow the disappointing behaviour by this group. Vandalism of court property and the burning of a police vehicle is very questionable, says Mophete.  

She says Mashinini wishes to remind all South Africans that the right to peaceful protest is part of any democratic society and is enshrined in the Constitution, however, the right to protest is not absolute and comes with responsibility.

According to Mphethe, vandalism of court property as well as the burning of a police vehicle boil down to this group actually attacking the government itself. This matter is in the hands of the police currently. Investigations are being done and it is left to the police to provide a report to the department in this regard.

Meanwhile, police in the Free State made their first arrest in connection with the unruly behaviour of a group of people attending the court appearance of the accused in the Horner murder. 

Here is police spokesperson Motantsi Makhele...

OFM News