Senekal – Tying the body of the brutally killed young farm manager Brandon Horner (21) to a pole was nothing less than a public statement. 

This public statement was met by the [obvious] public statement of farmers that can no longer stand by while innocent farmers and farmworkers are killed, and that while their requests to have it declared a priority crime are falling on deaf ears," the Platinum Weekly was told.

A crowd of protestors showed up for the court hearing [on 6 October] of the two suspects arrested for the murder of young Brandon. The protestors forced their way into the court. At a stage one of the police vehicles was overturned. Social media is abuzz with videos of the incident.

A 52-year-old farmer has been arrested for the alleged involvement in the vandalism and damage to property and the minister is calling for more arrests.

Sekwetje Isaiah Mahlamba (32), and Sekola Piet Matlaletsa (44) were arrested by Senekal detectives at Fateng Tse Ntsho in Paul Roux, Free State on Saturday 3 October. The suspects were found with bloodstained clothes and shoes, which taken for forensic testing. The two suspects are alleged stock thieves.

According to Free State police spokesperson brigadier Montantsi Makhele, Brandon was found tied up with a rope to a pole at an open space situated at De Rots - on 2 October at about 06:30.

The police received a call from other farmers reporting the attack at De Rots Farm and upon their arrival, they found the body of young Brandon with injuries to his body, head and face. A knife was seized from the scene and his bloodstained Toyota Hilux was later found abandoned near Duikfontein Farm in Paul Roux.