Alleged racial motivated attack case postponed again

Groblersdal – The Democratic Union Party (DUP) has called for political parties in Limpopo to let the law take its course in the case of farmers who are accused of a brutal assault of a security guard in Groblersdal.

The duo, Piet Groenewald (63) and his stepson, Stephan Greeff (27), made their third bail application hearing at the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday 7 February. They were arrested last month after allegedly brutally assaulting and setting a dog on a Namibian national, Veneruru Kavari (30) at their farm in Groblersdal. They are facing attempted murder charges.

During the court proceedings, investigating Officer Constable Gregory Maleasenya stated that the duo should not be granted bail after it was established that Groenewald disappeared after he was granted bail in the 1990s on similar charges. The court heard that Groenewald was re-arrested in 2002 and was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment until he was released on parole in 2010.

Maleasenya also revealed that Stephan Greeff is also facing a separate charge of murder which the police are still investigating and currently waiting for ballistic tests results.  The case was postponed to Monday 12 February.

Addressing community members outside the court, DUP President, Tonic Manchidi, called for calm and unity, and for the court not to be swayed by protesters of different political parties and the farmers who continue to protest outside during the proceedings.

“However, the DUP frowns upon racism and believes that racists must be brought to book. The DUP has noticed amongst others that cases of racism are reportedly growing around Groblersdal and hereby calls for a dialogue of all stakeholders to find a permanent solution to this problem,” he said.

Manchidi said the party further calls for action to be taken against the farmers who displayed the old apartheid flags outside the court.

“Racism and apartheid must not find space in our democracy,” he said.