BARNEY WANTS NO PART IN TRIAL

'Everyone in this court can go home to their families and children, while we sit in prison because of fabricated charges.'

- SANDI KWON HOO

GEORGE “Barney” Peters, who is alleged to be the leader of the “Hollanders gang”, has indicated that he wants to step aside from his trial, claiming innocence and suggesting that court proceedings could continue without him.

His previous legal representative withdrew on March 20, and Pierre Fourie from Legal Aid South Africa was appointed to represent Peters on March 26. However, Fourie indicated that his client had chosen to represent himself.

Peters and his co-accused – Britney Arends, 22, Stephanie McAnda, 21, Simone Rose, 29, Chinaaz Mentoor, 21, Abigail van Wyk, 22, Chane Adams, 27, Michael Peters, 37, Clive Peters, 42, Deon May, 38, Pamerston Mentoor, 30, Henry Blom, 28, Thabo Sekapano, 38, Vincent Rosen, 33, Tshepo Malambi, 27, Nico Hofuza, 29, and Shawn Smith, 24 – appeared in the Northern Cape High Court this week.

The 117 charges they face include murder, attempted murder, gang activity, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, discharge of a firearm in a built-up area, public violence, money laundering, defeating the ends of justice, assault, kidnapping, fraud, and dealing in drugs.

Peters told the court that his legal representatives were not following his instructions.