Court postpone alleged racial attack case

Groblersdal

The Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court has postponed the bail application of Piet Groenewald and his stepson Stephan Greef to Wednesday 7 February 2024.

The duo appeared before the court on Wednesday 31 January facing charges of attempted murder after they allegedly assaulted and setting a dog on Namibian national, Veneruru Kavari on 17 January at their farm in Groblersdal.

The victim recorded the assault incident in a circulated video that drew attention of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leaders in Sekhukhune Region who later accompanied Kavari to open a case at Groblersdal Police Station.

The Minister of Police Bheki Cele together with Minister of Justice Ronald Lamola and Limpopo Premier Chupu Stanley Mathabatha were in attendance.

During the court proceedings, defence lawyer, Advocate Johan Van Wyk, presented the affidavits statements, stating why the suspects should be granted bail.  

However, the state opposed the bail application citing that the victim’s life will not be safe should the duo be released on bail.

The state furthered indicated that an eye witness, who is the victim’s colleague is currently receiving death threats from unknown callers who warned him not to testify against the suspects.

Large groups of supporters from the ANC, EFF and other opposition political parties were picketing outside during the court proceedings. They were chanting that the suspects should be denied bail as they believe that the attack was racially motivated.

Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) Executive Mayor, Cllr Minah Bahula, who was also in attendance, vehemently condemned all forms of alleged racism within society.

She emphasizes that racism undermines the core values of equality, tolerance, and dignity that the nation cherishes.

“Such alleged acts must be met with accountability and eradicated wherever they emerge. “Together, we must strive to build a society founded on principles of equality, respect, and unity,” she said.

Bahula furthered urged all citizens to stand united against racism in all its manifestations.

Bolsheviks Party of South Africa (BPSA) Leader, Seun Mogotji, had lambasted the Human Rights Commission, citing that they are failing to properly investigate whether the merits of the case were racially motivated or not.

“We are concerned that a representative from the commission announced that preliminary reports found nothing racially discriminating about the case. Maybe the commission should delve deeper into the case and learn its merits, then familiarise themselves with the history of Groblersdal and its Afrikaner farming community,” he said.

Mogotji stated the commission should fight with racial discrimination that seems to be prevalent in Groblersdal.

“The victim in this case was accused of coming to work drunk, that is unacceptable behaviour but it does not warrant beating him up and setting dogs on him,” he said. The Human Rights Commission was not available for a comment when going to print.