Grisly picture painted of ET killing

The Ventersdorp Magistrate's Court heard he was hacked and beaten with a panga and iron rod 28 times while sleeping - and nearly dismembered, notes a report on the News24 site. Chris Mahlangu (27) and a youth (15) have been charged with killing Terre'Blanche on Easter Saturday this year. Investigating officer Tsietsi Mano testified how the brutality of the murder had disturbed him. 'He (Terre'Blanche) was sleeping, so he never saw it coming,' said Mano. 'The brutality was a bitter pill to swallow - he was totally unrecognisable.' State prosecutor George Baloyi read out a preliminary summary of the substantial facts of the case. This outlined how Mahlangu and his co-accused broke into Terre'Blanche's farm house outside Ventersdorp, hacked him to death, pulled his pants down and stole his cellphone. 'They struck him several times in his face, head and body with the iron rod and a panga.' Mano testified that Mahlangu confessed to the murder several times. Puna Moroko, for Mahlangu, told the court his client had acted in self-defence, a statement to which Mano later replied: 'Now I'm lost.' Full report on the News24 site

Mahlangu said he would not pose a flight risk if released on bail. His lawyer told the court Mahlangu had two minor children that needed him. He assured Magistrate Makgaolo Foso that his client - who he said didn't attend school - was not a flight risk. The lawyer denied a statement by Mahlangu's uncle that his client was a Zimbabwean. Moroko, however, acknowledged that Mahlangu did not own an identity document or a passport. 'His origin, his citizenship is under doubt,' said Mano. The crime, especially because it was a farm attack, was considered by the police to be a 'priority crime', Mano said. A report on the Mail & Guardian Online site notes the bail hearing was set to continue on 19 May, when Moroko would start cross-examining Mano. 'I did what I did in self-defence and will plead not guilty to all the charges against me,' said Mahlangu's affidavit, which was read by his lawyer. 'I have no previous convictions and no pending cases against me,' said the statement. 'Had I wanted to escape or avoid the law taking its course, I would have escaped.' Full report on the Mail & Guardian Online site

The court heard the murder over a wage dispute and missing cattle was planned in the stables of the farm. 'They planned to kill Terre'Blanche... They planned: 'this man is giving us trouble, we are going to kill him',' said investigating Mano. The court heard that the two went to the stores for an iron rod, and broke into the farm house. They attacked Terre'Blanche while he was sleeping, using the rod and a panga. According to a report on the News24 site, Mano said Mahlangu pointed out the murder scene to police, and this was regarded as a confession. Mano testified after doubts at the weekend over whether he would stay on the case following his arrest for allegedly assaulting witnesses in other investigations. He is out on bail. The 15-year-old made a brief appearance earlier and his lawyer said outside court that he had left school in grade seven to work for Terre'Blanche at a salary of R500 and a bed in the stables. Terre'Blanche, a keen horseman who made appearances at shows around the country, had hired the boy to look after his herd of 97 cattle and also gave him a meal of pap and milk, and occasionally meat, said his lawyer Zola Majavu. The boy would plead not guilty when he returns for his own bail application on 10 June and then go on trial in a high court in September. Full report on the News24 site

After the murder the two took Terre'Blanche's cellphone then went to 'brag' about killing him. 'They met three people and accused number one told them that he is now their boss because they have killed Mr Terre'Blanche,' Baloyi read from a summary of facts, which Mano confirmed. But the other farm workers did not believe them. Crimen injuria, initially explained as being included because he was found dead with his trousers down, was not on Monday's list of charges, notes a report on the News24 site. Full report on the News24 site