SOUTH AFRICA: Prosecution says accused in Terre'blanche murder to be tried as a minor

Record ID: 452571

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: Prosecution says accused in Terre'blanche murder to be tried as a minor
  • Date: 7th April 2010
  • Summary: VENTERSDORP, SOUTH AFRICA (APRIL 06, 2010) (REUTERS) WIDE OF MEDIA TRUCK / MEDIA STANDING OUTSIDE COURT JOURNALISTS SITTING/STANDING ON PAVEMENT AFRIKANER RESISTANCE MOVEMENT (AWB) SUPPORTERS MILLING AROUND MAN HOLDING AWB FLAG PUBLIC PROSECUTION TEAM PREPARING TO ADDRESS MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (English) DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTION, MENDI MSIMANG, SAYING: "What happened this morning is that we met with the representatives of the community, members of AWB and the community policing forum to explain to them how the process in court will go on for the rest of today and for the rest of the trial going forward. The reason why we chose that approach, as you know, is that on the 1st of April this year, this month in fact, the Child Justice Act came into operation and in terms of that act, completely different criminal procedure for dealing with children involved in conflict with the law became applicable and therefore everybody has to be very clear what, in terms of that legislation, we are required to do." AWB MEMBER ON PHONE (SOUNDBITE) (English) DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTION, MENDI MSIMANG, SAYING: "Both of the accused were not in court at that time because, as you know, when a minor is involved, court proceedings involving that minor must be held in camera, so we have adjourned now and the court will resume where only the minors and only those allowed by the court will then sit and the matter will proceed formally." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE STANDING AROUND
  • Embargoed: 22nd April 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAANMKCIN4Z54ZPXG8ESHIQWIAE
  • Story Text: The Public Prosecutor in the case against two workers who allegedly murdered South African white supremacist, Eugene Terre'blanche said on Tuesday (April 6) that the trial will be conducted according to the country's new Child Justice Act, which came into force on April 1.
    The act is specifically geared towards children in conflict with the law. Director of Public Prosecution, Mendi Msimang said that he held a meeting with community leaders and members of the Afrikaner Resistance Movement (AWB) to discuss the process the case would take.
    Police believe Terre'blanche, who had pushed to preserve white minority rule in the 1990s, was killed over a pay dispute. Even though analysts are not predicting any wider political repercussions, the killing has exposed the racial divide that remains 16 years after the end of apartheid.
    "What happened this morning is that we met with the representatives of the community, members of AWB and the community policing forum to explain to them how the process in court will go on for rest of today and for the rest of the trial going forward," said Msimang.
    "The reason why we chose that approach, as you know, is that on the 1st of April this year, this month in fact, the Child Justice Act came into operation and in terms of that act, completely different criminal procedure for dealing with children involved in conflict with the law became applicable and therefore everybody has to be very clear what, in terms of that legislation, we are required to do," he continued.
    Msimang added that the new act required that the case be closed to the public and the media and only those involved in the case will be allowed into the proceedings.
    "Both of the accused were not in court at that time because, as you know, when a minor is involved, court proceedings involving that minor must be held in camera, so we have adjourned now and the court will resume where only the minors and only those allowed by the court will then sit and the matter will proceed formally," said Msimang.
    The AWB has promised not to seek revenge for the death of their 69-year-old leader, who had become increasingly marginal in politics and had a tiny following among the whites who make up 10 percent of South Africa's 48 million people. However, the murder has heightened a sense among its supporters that they are being targeted by the African National Congress (ANC), the party of Nelson Mandela that has ruled South Africa since 1994.
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