Youth in ET trial named

Murdered right-wing leader Eugene Terre'Blanche. Photo: AP

Murdered right-wing leader Eugene Terre'Blanche. Photo: AP

Published May 22, 2012

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 The name of the youth accused of killing Eugene Terre'Blanche was made public in the High Court sitting in Ventersdorp on Tuesday morning.

Patrick Ndlovu's trial had been held in camera thus far, but as he turned 18 in April he could be named.

Judge John Horn on Tuesday morning concluded his summary of the evidence given during the proceedings. Before handing down his judgment he would first evaluate whether the evidence and the witnesses were credible.

Outside the court, supporters of Ndlovu and Chris Mahlangu, both accused of killing the rightwing leader, danced and sang “Viva, Mahlangu, Viva” and “Dubul' iBhunu” (Shoot the Boer).

Some carried placards reading, “Down with the AWB”, “Thank you, Mahlangu” and “Waar is jou onderbroek ET (Where are your underpants, ET?)”, a reference to evidence presented during the trial that Terre'Blanche was found dead with his pants pulled down.

The two are accused of hacking and beating Terre'Blanche to death on his North West farm in April 2010.

Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging members, clad in camouflage uniforms and sporting flags and banners, were outside the court. Some of their banners read: “AWB stood the test of time” and “Long live the AWB”.

Members of the rightwing Gelofte Volk, an AWB splinter group, were also present. Leader Andre Visagie said he had mixed feelings about what to expect.

Police and police vans lined the streets surrounding the court. Heavily armed officers stopped family members and media from entering the court until the last minute. Local residents were warmly dressed to fight off the winter chill in the North West town.

Mahlangu and Ndlovu have pleaded not guilty to murder, housebreaking, and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Mahlangu claims he acted in self-defence. Ndlovu has denied involvement in the crime. Both have declined to testify.

“It is probably going to be a long judgment. So prepare yourselves for a long judgment,” Horn told the State and the defence. - Sapa

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