The accused, who are between the ages of 18 and 42, are facing three charges of murder, kidnapping and the theft of motor vehicles.
THE FIVE accused who were arrested in connection with the murder and abduction of the Brand family from their smallholding in Magogong near Hartswater have all abandoned their right to apply for bail.
The accused, who are between the ages of 18 and 42, are facing three charges of murder, kidnapping and the theft of motor vehicles.
They appeared in the Hartswater Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
The bodies of Danie Brand, 83, his wife Breggie, 79, and their daughter, Elzabie, 50, were found in the veld in Takaneng village near Taung on Tuesday.
They were attacked at their home, while vehicles were also stolen from the premises, on July 26.
The chairperson of the Vaalharts district agricultural union, Stefan Smith, said four of the accused had applied for legal aid while the fifth accused would provide his own legal representation. “The matter was postponed until August 13 and the accused will remain in custody after they abandoned bail.
“Two family members of the Brand family and representatives from the agricultural union attended the court proceedings, as the number of people who are permitted to enter the court building was limited due to the Covid-19 regulations.”
Smith stated that a petition was handed over to the State prosecutor by the Vaalharts district agricultural union, Agri-Noordkaap and the Magogong agricultural union, to oppose bail.
AfriForum head of community development, Johan Kruger, stated that urgent action was required to curb farm murders.
“Hundreds of citizens are adamant that enough is enough, we cannot tolerate these senseless farm murders. Where is President Cyril Ramaphosa? We want him here in Hartswater to acknowledge the seriousness of farm attacks in our country,” said Kruger.
He also pointed out that this latest incident is a wake-up call for all landowners to join local safety structures and to remain on the alert at all times.
