Tensions high as SA farmers in court for killing attackers

Parys — There was a heavy police presence outside the Parys Magistrate’s Court yesterday for the appearance of four farmers accused of killing two suspected farm attackers.

Barbed wire had been unrolled outside the court. One roll separated ANC and EFF members. The other separated farmers from the ANC supporters.

Earlier, the farmers and ANC members hurled water bottles and rocks at one another. Police contained the situation.

Paramedics and members of the police’s tactical response team, public order and K9 units were there, and had brought along two Nyalas.

The four — Anton Loggerenberg, Boeta van der Westhuizen, and father and son Johan Cilliers senior and junior — were expected to apply for bail.

A farmer from the farm Biesiesbult, near Parys, alleged that while he was feeding his dogs last Wednesday, two armed men confronted him and demanded R20,000, Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said on Sunday.

The farmer was pistol-whipped, but managed to run into his house and press a panic button. His attackers ran away.

A group of neighbouring farmers rallied and confronted two men — Samuel Tjexa, 35 and Seun Tangasha, in his late 20s — about 8km from Biesiesbult. The farmers allegedly assaulted Tjexa and Tangasha before handing them over to police.

Tjexa was admitted to Parys Provincial Hospital and Tangasha to Pelonomi Hospital. Tangasha was declared dead on arrival and Tjexa died later.  — News24