The recent events in Senekal in the eastern Free State have, for the umpteenth time, thrust the related issues of farm murders, racial tension, violent crime, and the responses of political leaders to these on the national agenda. The latest outrage was sparked by the murder of farm manager Brendin Horner.

On Tuesday 6 October 2020, demonstrators – mostly white farmers – embarked on a violent protest at the Senekal magistrate's court, after the appearance of two suspects for allegedly murdering Horner. According to reports, a gunshot was fired, and a police vehicle set on fire...