At least three houses were set alight, journalists attacked and police fired rubber bullets in Coligny, North West, on Monday, as tension continue to rise after two farmers accused of killing teenage boy were granted R5000 bail each.
Irate residents of Tlhabologang torched a farm house after Pieter Doorewaard, 26, and Phillip Schutte, 34, were granted bail.
Farmers who arrived at the house attacked journalists and accused them of not doing anything to save the house but instead, they took pictures. Two more houses were set alight and there was a stand-off between farmers and residents.
Farmers pointed guns to a group of residents who were heading home after protesting at the court, residents were being escorted by the police on foot when they were pointed with guns.
The police managed to separate the two groups. A group of youngsters later went to the Rietvlei farm near Scotland, police fired rubber bullets at the youngsters who wanted to set the farm house alight in Rietvlei.
The police surrounded the house and fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd advancing to the house, in return the crowd throw stones and chased journalists running to the scene.
The community was angry that the two farmers accused of killing of Matlhomola Jonas Mosweu, were granted bail.
Doorewaard and Schutte are accused of killing Matlhomola Jonas Mosweu, 16, on April 20, after they allegedly caught him stealing sunflower from their employer’s field.
Magistrate Makgaola Foso said there was no evidence that the two would not stand trial, they were born in Coligny and were gainfully employed.
“Gentlemen your application was successful. You must hand over your passports to the investigating officer and you must stay at the alternative addresses you provided,” he said.
The family of the accused shook hands, welcoming the ruling while the family of the deceased expressed their shock at the ruling.
“I am not happy, ngwanaka ena [what about my son] I buried him yesterday [Sunday]. Ga ba re lebelle ba lebella makgoa [The court does not consider us, they only consider the whites],” he said sobbing before he was whisked away.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West Frank Lesenyego said they respected the ruling of the court to grant the men bail but, were disappointed that the court did not consider the interest of the community.
In passing judgement magistrate Foso said the court could not be held ransom by protest.
The case was postponed to June 26, for investigation.
On April three houses and three trucks were torched, when enraged community members protested demanding the arrest of those who were alleged to have killed Matlhomola. The unrest stopped after Doorewaard and Schutte were arrested on April 25.
Solidarity Movement chairperson Flip Buys said North West premier Supra Mahumapelo, must accept co-responsibility for the vandalism taking place in Coligny.
“This is now a time for leadership to defuse the crisis and not to exploit the tragic death of a child to incite people by using racial slurs,” he said.
On Sunday, Mahumapelo told mourners that Matlhomola died at the hands of whites. He said the court must look into how he was killed, as the was no confusion that he died at the hands of two Afrikaners.
“Tomorrow [Tuesday], Solidarity will file a complaint against Supra with the South African Human Rights Commission and later this week in Geneva, Solidarity will also brief the UN’s committee on racial discrimination about the events,” he said.
He said Solidarity was prepared to help resolve the crisis and would be pleased to have talks with the premier on the process of restoring peace in Coligny.
“The situation in Coligny is serious but there is no reason to panic. The area’s neighbourhood watch organisations are well-organised and are ready to assist the SAPS where necessary. AfriForum also sent a team to Coligny to lend support,” he said.
In a statement on Wednesday, Solidarity Movement said a contingency plan was in place should further violence continue following the court ruling.
The SA National Service Organisation has slammed the ruling accusing the magistrate of being biased to the accused and overlooked the interest of the community when ruling on the bail application.
“There is new evidence we like to present before court and we are going to appeal against the ruling. The magistrate was biased,” said provincial secretary Packet Seaketso.
– African News Agency (ANA)
