Cops prepare for ET judgment

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Murdered AWB leader Eugene Terre'Blanche. Photo: Debbie Yazbek

North West police are preparing for possible large crowds gathering for the Eugene Terre'Blanche murder trial judgment at the High Court sitting in Ventersdorp on Tuesday.

“The judgment is expected to be delivered from 9am in the morning and a large crowd is expected,” Brigadier Thulane Ngubane said on Monday.

“Based on previous confrontations between two groups outside the court police are expecting even worse situations than the previous ones and are up to the task.”

Chris Mahlangu and a teenager are charged with beating Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging leader Terre'Blanche to death in his farmhouse outside Ventersdorp, North West, on April 3, 2010.

Both have pleaded not guilty to murder, housebreaking, and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Mahlangu has claimed he acted in self-defence. The teenager has denied involvement in the crime.

Ngubane said no unruly behaviour would be tolerated on Tuesday as there were rumours that people would be shot or killed if the judgment did not go a certain way.

“We also would like to warn any individual or grouping that may wish to threaten state security that they will meet the full might of the law and we dare them to test the capacity and the state of readiness of the SA police services.”

Police units deployed to Ventersdorp for the duration of the trial include the crime prevention unit, public order police, flying squad, mounted unit as well as the air wing.

Only accredited people would be allowed to enter the court room and everyone else should remain within demarcated areas.

Provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Zukiswa Mbombo urged local residents to respect the court's ruling. – Sapa