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Youth hail murder accused as a hero

TELL US: National Director of Public Prosecutions Menzi Simelane addresses the media outside the court the case was postponed to April 14. Pic. Bafana Mahlangu. 06/04/2010. © Sowetan.
TELL US: National Director of Public Prosecutions Menzi Simelane addresses the media outside the court the case was postponed to April 14. Pic. Bafana Mahlangu. 06/04/2010. © Sowetan.

ONE of people accused of killing AWB leader Eugène Terre'Blanche was yesterday hailed as a hero by black youths outside the Ventersdorp magistrate's court.

ONE of people accused of killing AWB leader Eugène Terre'Blanche was yesterday hailed as a hero by black youths outside the Ventersdorp magistrate's court.

As the chubby Chris Mahlangu, 27, walked out of court with his head under a jacket, the crowd started chanting "viva". He was escorted by heavily armed police officers.

AWB members and white residents of Ventersdorp arrived as early as 7am, while black people - mostly youths - arrived later.

The accused arrived under heavy police guard and used the court's side entrance.

Before lunch national prosecuting authority head Menzi Simelane, came out and addressed the media.

After lunch the black adults left the court but not without a word of caution from community leader Bomba Matinyane, who warned them not to accept free food.

"Leave the free food alone. Also report any incidents of violence against you to the police," he said.

Matinyane said they were not in court to support Mahlangu and his co-accused, a 15-year-old boy.

"We are here to observe. We want to hear the truth. This was not a political murder, it was a crime," he said.

Steyn van Ronge, one of Terre'Blanche's deputies, was later appointed the new AWB president.

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