The Hartswater farm murder suspects (Credit Image: Ulrich Roux / Twitter)

Five suspects in the Hartswater farm murder case have appeared in court for the first time since their arrest earlier this week. The group is accused of abducted three members of the Brand family, before killing them and abandoning the bodies. Huge protests took place outside of the venue on Thursday, too.

Of the group, two suspects were in their teens and the oldest is aged 42. A female suspect also appeared in the dock on Thursday. They all rejected an offer of bail and were charged with three counts of murder, kidnapping, and robbery each. These Schedule 6 offences tend to carry some very stiff penalties.

The alleged farm murder ‘gang’ will remain in police custody until 13 August, as one of the accused has confirmed they will be securing the services of a private attorney to fight their case personally:

The five accused enters the dock. #SABCNewspic.twitter.com/M08MxIDCct

— Ulrich Hendriks (@UlrichHendriks) July 30, 2020

Long lines of tractors and agricultural vehicles occupied the main roads leading into Hartswater before the convoy drove past the Magistrates Court. Many demonstrators have again taken aim at Cyril Ramaphosa, asking the president about his perceived silence on the thorny issue of farm murders.

AfriForum estimates that July has been a particularly bloody month for farm murders. Nine separate deaths have been reported in the past four weeks, and those mounting frustrations have boiled over in the Northern Cape. For those in Hartswater – and beyond – ‘enough is enough’:

#HARTSWATER-MOORDE:
Die gemeenskap van Hartswater is uitmekaar geruk na die wrede moorde op 3 geliefde inwoners. Boere kom by die landdroshof in Hartswater bymekaar om die moorde te veroordeel.
Waar is jy President Ramaphosa? – https://t.co/ivXApCCNkHpic.twitter.com/jcTfVTP3aG

— AfriForum (@afriforum) July 30, 2020

Community members protesting outside court. #SABCNewspic.twitter.com/Q7glyqtc88

— Ulrich Hendriks (@UlrichHendriks) July 30, 2020