Chaos at Bronkhorstspruit court hearing involving two ‘racist’ farmers

Police spewed dozens of rubber bullets at an angry Bronkhorstspruit community who were threatening to harm the Tshwane NPA staff outside the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

More than a hundred ANC and EFF supporters were picketing outside the court when farmers Johannes Potgieter, 33, and co-accused Hendrick Dumas, 48, appeared for assaulting and pointing a firearm at a nine-year-old black girl.

But the community was outraged to learn the duo, who were denied bail by the magistrate, were granted bail by the North Gauteng High Court last month when their defence appealed the ruling.

With a heavy police presence, the mob threatened to burn down the farm of the two accused, but turned their rage to the NPA staff who were walking out of the court.

Police and Tshwane metro police broke out a string of rubber bullets and stun grenades, scattering the crowd who sprinted down the street.

But an injured ANC supporter told The Citizen she was shot at close range despite being a spectator to the protest.

“I was just sitting and watching what was happening. I don’t know why they decided to shoot at me. Police also shot at people who were sitting inside a car. They opened the doors and shot them inside.”

Several people were captured by police and thrown into nyalas while police drove around the area in search of more arrests.

The matter was postponed to March 13 next year for further investigations.

The young girl, now aged 10, went for a jog with her brother and two friends in September when she was captured by one of the accused who was armed.

The two accused allegedly tied the girl to a tree and pointed her with a firearm. The other three children had escaped.

Potgieter and Dumas were arrested on charges of assault and pointing a firearm, but were denied bail by the Bronkhorstspruit court.

They were however released on R3 000 bail each by the North Gauteng High Court on October 19.

– rorisangk@citizen.co.za