Tatane murder trial delayed

Ficksburg protester Andries Tatane.

Ficksburg protester Andries Tatane.

Published Apr 23, 2012

Share

The trial of eight Free State policemen accused of murdering protester Andries Tatane was delayed in the Ficksburg Regional Court on Monday.

Court officials were trying to find a projector for the court on which a video would be shown.

Outside the court residents continued with their daily activities. A group of policemen stood at the court gates and several others were in the courtroom. Local residents and Tatane's relatives were in the public gallery. His wife Rose and other family members arrived at court at 8am, about an hour before matters were supposed to start, and took their seats in the front row.

A court orderly asked those in the public gallery not to react or comment when a video of the day in question was screened.

Lawyer for the policemen, Johann Nel, said earlier the defence was ready to proceed.

Tatane was killed in Meqheleng, allegedly by public order police, during a service delivery protest on April 13 last year.

The accused are: Nicodemus Israel Moiloa, Mothusi Magano, Mphonyana Ntaje, Olebogeng Mphirime, Solomon Moeketsi, Jonas Skosana, Kanathasen Munsamay, and Isaac Finger.

Video footage showed riot police beating Tatane during a march to the Setsoto municipal offices in Ficksburg. Over several days, roads were blocked with stones and bricks, and tyres set alight.

Two of the policemen were charged with murder. The other six face charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The case had been set down for four days. – Sapa

Related Topics: