Staff Reporter
Police are on high alert as a clash between the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and minority rights group AfriForum looms in Senekal today.
Both camps are expected to descend on the small Free State farming town to protest – but for different reasons – during the court appearance of two men accused of murder.
Sekwetje Isaiah Mahlamba, 32, and 44-year-old Sekola Piet Matlaletsa, both residents of Takalatse in Fateng-Tse-Ntsho township in Paul Roux, are due to appear before the Senekal Magistrates Court on charges of murdering farm manager Brendin Horner earlier this month.
The duo’s first court appearance last week was marred by violence as white farmers stormed the court, damaged property and burnt a police vehicle.
EFF leader Julius Malema said his party would go to Senekal to protect democracy and the Constitution, which he said was “under threat by racist, terrorist farmers who go and attack a court of law and attack police stations”.
He said the move by farmers to storm the court last week was a declaration of war against the state.
On the other hand, AfriForum said it would proceed with its peaceful protest in Senekal today against farm murders and violence.
With racial tensions remaining high in Senekal ahead of the planned protests, police have put in place strict measures to prevent a potentially violent confrontation between the EFF, AfriForum and other Afrikaner formations.
The plan will see the EFF, AfriForum members and other Afrikaner groups being confined to separate areas in Senekal today – and they will not be allowed to march or move.
No people will be allowed near the vicinity of the court and all roads around the court will be blocked off.
Police set up roadblocks at all entrances to Senekal on Thursday, stopping and searching vehicles.
Public order police units from Bloemfontein, Bethlehem and Thaba Nchu in the Free State as well as from Gauteng have been deployed in the farming town.
A water cannon is on standby and police Nyalas were scheduled to barricade the court precinct with reams of barbed wire.