The 28-year-old, Chris Mahlangu, appeared at Ventersdorp magistrates court on Monday facing charges of murder, robbery with aggravated circumstances, house-breaking and crimen injuria.
Mahlangu argued that he should be given bail because he handed himself in to the police. However, the court described him as a dangerous person and a flight risk. Mahlangu gave a false address when arrested and sent police to his uncles home instead of his own.
The investigating officer said his uncle told him that he (Mahlangu) was from Zimbabwe and was actually called Rhangani. The suspect claimed to be a South African citizen with two children.
Mahlangus lawyer is arguing that his client acted in self-defence when he killed TerreBlanche, but the investigating officer said the defendant had no visible injury when he was arrested, and that his co-accused, who is 15, said Mahlangu removed TerreBlanches trousers and threatened to castrate him.
The blood found on Mahlangus clothes matched that of the Afrikaner leader.
He further stated that Mahlangu confessed to the killing. Police are yet to clarify the source of the semen found on TerreBlanches body.
The magistrate was shown the pictures of TerreBlanches damaged face and body to show the brutality of the attack.
Lawyer Zola Majavu said his clients would be pleading not guilty when the trial started. He also spoke to the media outside the court, accusing Police Commissioner General Bheki Cele of making unsubstantiated statementd that his client was sodomised.
It is alleged that Mahlangu planned the killing of the right wing leader at the farm stables with the 15-year-old. It is also alleged that Mahlangu stole TerreBlanches mobile phone and went to tell other workers that he was now their boss since he had killed TerreBlanche.
It is alleged that TerreBlanche owed the suspects some wages.
Post published in: News