Supporters of the pair accused of killing rightwing leader Eugene Terre’Blanche started singing "shoot the boer” outside the High Court sitting in Ventersdorp on Tuesday (22/05/2012).
Crowds had gathered outside the court to wait to hear the fate of Chris Mahlangu and an 18-year-old youth accused of hacking the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) leader to death on his North West farm in April 2010.
People were dancing and singing, "Viva, Mahlangu, Viva” and ”Dubul’ iBhunu”.
Some carried placards reading, "Down with the AWB”, ”Thank you, Mathangu” and ”Waar is jou onderbroek ET [Where is your underwear, ET]”.
Also outside court were AWB members, clad in camouflage uniforms and sporting flags and banners in support of Terre’Blanche.
Some of their banners read: "AWB stood the test of time” and ”Long live the AWB”.
Members of the rightwing Gelofte Volk, an AWB splinter group, were also present. Leader Andre Visagie said he had mixed feelings about what to expect. "We are not really very optimistic that justice will be done.” Police and police vans lined the streets surrounding the court.
Heavily armed officers stopped family members and media from entering the court until the last minute.
Members of the community were also gathered outside the court.
Everyone was warmly dressed to fight off the winter cold which has taken hold of the North West town.
Both accused have pleaded not guilty to murder, housebreaking, and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Mahlangu has claimed he acted in self-defence.
The youth has denied involvement in the crime.
Mahlangu and the youth declined to testify and, in April, the trial was postponed for judgment.
"It is probably going to be a long judgment. So prepare yourselves for a long judgment,” Judge John Horn told the State and the defence.
The youth turned 18 shortly after the proceedings were postponed.
On Monday, North West police said it was prepared for large crowds which might gather outside the court.
"Based on previous confrontations between the two groups outside the court police are expecting even worse situations than the previous ones and are up to the task,” Brigadier Thulane Ngubane said. - Sapa
