'ET accused didn't sign confessions'

THE teenager accused of killing AWB leader Eugene Terre'Blanche did not sign the confession statements, his lawyer told the High Court sitting in Ventersdorp yesterday.

The minor and Chris Mahlangu, who both worked for Terre'Blanche, are accused of beating and hacking the right-wing leader to death in his farmhouse on April 3 2010.

Both have pleaded not guilty.

Mahlangu said he acted in self-defence while the minor denied that he took part in the crime.

The minor's attorney, Zola Majavu, said: "My client denies that it was his signature (in the confession statements)."

Majavu said a probation officer, who according to the Child Justice Act must be appointed within 24 hours of the crime, was not appointed so no such officer was present during the pointing out of the crime scene.

Colonel Frans Jacobs, who conducted the pointing-out of the crime scene, was grilled on whether the minor's rights were read to him and whether he understood what was happening.

Jacobs said he believed the minor understood. But he conceded that in hindsight procedure was not followed - so far as the appointment of a probation officer was concerned.

He said: "I asked the minor if it was his signature on the (confession) statements and he said 'yes'. His mother was present for the pointing out and she confirmed that it was her fingerprints on the statements."

Majavu showed Jacobs signatures at the bottom of each page of the minor's statements and illustrated that his names were written differently each time and that his surname was misspelt.

Majavu wants the court to rule that the pointing-out of the crime scene and statements are inadmissible.

Majavu has also questioned the accuracy and training of a police reservist who acted as an interpreter between the minor, his mother (they speak seTswana) and Jacobs who speaks Afrikaans.

Outside of court, Majavu continues to enjoy support from community members who whistle and cheer every time he goes past, while the number of AWB supporters has dwindled since the trial started.

The trial continues.

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