The family of Patrick Kekana is desperately seeking answers after he went missing following an alleged racially motivated attack.
Kekana and two of his friends were collecting scraps from a dumping site near farmer Dirk Kotze’s property when they were shot at.
Kotze, the accused farmer, made his first appearance in the Brits Magistrates Court on Friday, where the state temporarily opposed bail due to safety concerns for both him and the community.
The Kekana family is adamant that Kotze should not be granted bail, citing a history of his alleged tendency to threaten black tenants.
Kekana’s sister, Kebarileng, believes Kotze may know something about her brother’s disappearance.
She emphasised that her brother, a devoted father of three, would never abandon his children.
She further expressed concern over the ongoing disappearance of young black men in the community. She believes that authorities are not taking sufficient action to address the situation.
“Black people must wake up. They are killing our brothers, and nothing is being done,” she told YNews.
Kotze faces attempted murder charges for allegedly shooting at the three young men.
In a prior incident, a firearm was confiscated from Kotze over 10 years ago when a case was opened against him.
Meanwhile, community members have expressed outrage, demanding justice for Kekana and the other victims.
Ward Councillor, Aubrey Sithole, stressed the need for more thorough investigations into Brits’ alleged racism incidents, adding that equal treatment was not being given to black residents who report crime.
Kotze will return to court on October 25 for his formal bail application.
Written by: Naomi Kobbie
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
10:00 pm - 12:00 am
12:00 am - 3:00 am
3:00 am - 5:00 am
5:00 am - 9:00 am
COPYRIGHT 2023