'I'm not mad': Barney objects to psych test

ALLEGED gang boss George “Barney” Peters has vehemently objected to being sent for mental observation, insisting that there is nothing wrong with him after announcing that he intends to represent himself in court.

- SANDI KWON HOO

Peters emerged from the holding cells in the Northern Cape High Court to inform the court: “Ek wil my lawyer wegja” (“I am chasing my lawyer away”).

He was ordered out of the courtroom three weeks ago due to his disruptive outbursts and has since declined repeated invitations to rejoin the proceedings.

“I am not going to any psychiatrist - it will appear as if I am mad. I will die if I go there,” he told the court this week.

Peters and his co-accused - Britney Arends, Stephanie McAnda, Simone Rose, Chinaaz Mentoor, Abigail van Wyk, Chane Adams, Michael Peters, Clive Peters, Deon May, Pamerston Mentoor, Henry Blom, Vincent Rosen, Tshepo Malambi, Nico Hofuza and Shawn Smith - are facing 117 charges, including murder, attempted murder, gang activity, the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area, public violence, money laundering, racketeering, defeating the ends of justice, assault, kidnapping, fraud and drug-dealing.

Peters said he was “prepared to take the risk” of representing himself and complained that his 17-page document that he submitted to the court was “not being taken seriously”.

“My rights are being violated. I am in my right mind. Only guilty people need a lawyer. Do I have to sit through the whole trial to hear that I am not guilty?” he asked.

CONCERNS OVER SELF-REPRESENTATION