T hough it is still premature to justify a firm view, I welcome the swift move by both the Black Lawyers Association and the national prosecuting authority in the case of Meyerton farmer Derick James Steyn.

T hough it is still premature to justify a firm view, I welcome the swift move by both the Black Lawyers Association and the national prosecuting authority in the case of Meyerton farmer Derick James Steyn.

The man allegedly terrorised black people with impunity in the Vaal - allegedly because he knows a local magistrate.

We cannot in the current dispensation still have people who are preoccupied with racial attitudes and who have no regard for human rights.

I think it would be prudent to probe previous cases involving Steyn as an accused since it is alleged that he had previously been released under mysterious circumstances.

I fail to understand how a person can be released, allegedly without a formal bail hearing, if he has a previous conviction for a similar offence.

The law is very clear in this regard - that a formal bail application must be conducted.

The Black Lawyers Association and national prosecuting authority must also investigate the conduct of the magistrate concerned and should consider lodging a complaint with the Magistrate Commission.

It is undesirable for a judicial officer to allow friendship to cloud his or her judgment in court proceeding.

Eric Mmila, Johannesburg