Note to Editors: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Cllr Karen Smith
The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the Kirkwood Magistrates Court’s decision to deny bail to the third accused in a recent Kirkwood farm attack.
The man is one of five believed to have been involved in the attack of Mr Johannes de Lange and his family, on De Lange’s farm on 3 March 2021.
During the farm attack, in which De Lange was injured and had to be hospitalised, one of the men was shot dead. Three of the alleged attackers were subsequently arrested, and one escaped.
The two other accused previously decided not to go ahead with their bail applications.
The three accused are facing charges of attempted murder, assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and housebreaking.
The DA wishes to thank the police and the state prosecutor for their hard work thus far, and we trust that justice will prevail in this regard. If the suspects are found to be guilty, they must face the full might of the law.
The deceased suspect was out on parole at the time of the attack. The criminal justice system must not be allowed to fail again.
Last year, the DA established our Court Watching Briefs Units to ensure that regular feedback regarding investigations of farm attacks and farm murders and the court proceedings are given.
It also serves the purpose of ensuring that investigations are done thoroughly and that cases get prosecuted.
Our Court Watching Briefs Unit will continue to monitor the criminal investigation into this case and the court proceedings in the Kirkwood Magistrates Court to ensure, that if the accused are found guilty, they face the full might of the law.