Mixed feelings for Terre'Blanche
2010-04-06 14:21
Ventersdorp - One of the two people accused of murdering AWB leader Eugene Terre'Blanche was led out of court amidst cheers and ululation on Tuesday shortly after lunchtime.
Police led one of the accused, with a jacket fixed firmly over his head blocking his face from view, out of the court and into a waiting Nyala.
The Nyala left the court in convoy with a number of police vehicles, sirens blaring.
The accused was wearing grey pants and a white belt.
Court proceedings
Reporters were waiting to be briefed on the court proceedings, which were to take place in camera, due to the age of one of the accused.
Earlier, NPA head Menzi Simelane told the media the prosecuting authority had met representatives from the community, the AWB and the community policing forum to explain how court proceedings would unfold.
As the vehicle drove off, the crowd cheered and ululated and shouted.
"Viva, Viva," they said, jumping and clenching their fists as the van drove off.
"They are our heroes - they did us proud," said Simon Molefe while jumping with joy.
"These boys were brave, they did what others failed to do for many years," said Zila Mokotedi.
"People are crippled and some dead because of him. He installed fear among the people. We were not brave enough to look him in the eyes, these two are our heroes.
"They took the enemy away from us."
'Changed' after prison
Emanuel Mathibethe disagreed, saying Terre'Blanche was a changed person after his release from prison.
"He was a very quiet person and never provoked people after he was released from prison. I personally believe he had repented for his sins."
He said although there were ugly things Terre'Blanche did, it was better if he was remembered for the good he did in his last days.
"He was completely a new person, very quiet."
Eddy Von Maltitz from the Resistance Against Communism said the two people who killed Terre'Blanche were bribed to commit the crime.
'Political reasons'
"Someone put money on Terre'Blanche's head, the two were just used to commit the act.
"It is difficult to draw the line between crime and politics but I maintain he was killed for political reasons," he said, displaying a photograph of starving children with the caption "Result of Communism".
Maltitz wore a khaki shirt, a replica of the AWB uniform with "hundred percent boer" written on the back.
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