#CoffinAssault:Tensions running high outside court

Members of the ANC, ANCWL and the SACP sing and dance outside the Middelburg Magistrate's Court. Picture: ANA

Members of the ANC, ANCWL and the SACP sing and dance outside the Middelburg Magistrate's Court. Picture: ANA

Published Dec 8, 2016

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Middelburg – There was a hive of activity outside the Middelburg Magistrate's Court in Mpumalanga on Thursday morning ahead of the delivery of the judgment of the bail hearing of two men accused of assaulting a black man and shoving him into a coffin.

Theo Martins Jackson and Willem Oosthuizen were arrested for allegedly assaulting Victor Rethabile Mlotshwa and charged with kidnapping and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

A group comprising of members of the African National Congress (ANC), ANC Women's League (ANCWL) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) sang and danced outside the court on Thursday.

They repeatedly ran towards the opposite ends of Beyers Naude Street, singing songs and praising Mlotshwa. Dozens of people gathered to watch. The situation was tense outside the court premises, with several members of the police's Tactical Response Team (TRT) guarding the entrance to the court building.

The accused were already in court C, which was packed to capacity long before formal proceedings began.

Dozens of other people stood at the two doors of court C after they were denied entry due to a lack of space. "I can't wait to hear if they are granted bail or not," said Besabakhe Ntuli, who was standing at the door.

"I hope this is our final day here because I have been coming here for three days now to support our fellow comrade [Mlotshwa]."

Last Friday, State prosecutor Robert Molokoane told the court the accused would be vulnerable to attack if they were released on bail.

Investigating officer Dimakatso Bahula, who was testifying for the State during the bail application, said that the duo might interfere with the outstanding investigations if they were released on bail, but defence advocate lawyer John Welch disputed this.

Judgment was expected to be announced later.

African News Agency

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