Free State farm murder: Two arrested for ‘torturing and killing’ 21-year-old

Two men have been caught red-handed in Free State, after police found the suspects to be in possession of blood-soaked clothes belonging to a young farm manager who had been brutally murdered last week. Brendin Horner, aged just 21, was subjected to a round of torture before he was eventually killed.

The victim was identified as Brendin Horner – Photo: Supplied

Free State farm murder: Young farmer brutally killed

The pair will appear in Senekal Magistrates Court on Tuesday 6 October. SAPS confirmed the following details for us:

• Two suspects, aged 32 and 43, were arrested in Fateng tse Ntho in Paul Roux on Saturday, 3 October.
• They were found in possession of bloodied clothing and shoes allegedly belonging to the victim.
• His blood-stained bakkie was found after the police had been alerted to the attack on Friday.
• Horner had apparently confronted stock thieves in the act and had subsequently been brutally tortured and murdered.
• It’s understood the victim was stabbed, strangled, and tied to a pole by his neck following the attack

Political reaction to Brendin Horner’s death

Leona Kleynhans, a DA MPL in Free State, has implored the authorities to throw the book at these alleged killers:

“Two arrests were made in the case of the brutal attack and murder on young farmer Brendin Horner near the farm of Duikfontein in the Paul Roux district on 2 October. The DA welcomes the speedy response by the SAPS in this case, and we are hoping for an equally speedy investigation, trial, and conviction.”

“Our rural communities in the Free State are being preyed upon by stock thieves and farm attackers, and this cannot go unpunished. A message must be sent through these speedy arrests and follow up action by our criminal justice system that our society will not tolerate the continuation of the war against our agricultural and rural communities.”

Leona Kleynhans

A message must be sent through these speedy arrests and follow up action by our criminal justice system that our society will not tolerate the continuation of the war against our agricultural and rural communities. – @LeonaKleynhans #StopFarmAttacks

— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) October 4, 2020

The FF Plus have also issued a statement on the matter, encouraging farmers to ‘safeguard and defend themselves’:

“Farm murders and attacks are out of control and cannot be considered ordinary crimes, particularly when the cruelty associated with these incidences is taken into account.”

“We are of the opinion that these crimes can only be effectively combated if the government admits that they are serious, in the first place, declares them to be priority crimes and establishes specialist units tasked with ensuring rural safety.”

“The FF Plus once again wants to call on the agricultural community to join their local safety and security structures and encourages farmers to safeguard and defend themselves.”

FF Plus statement