Yesterday the Eugene Terre’Blanche murder trial resumed in Ventersdorp. One of the accused, Chris Mahlangu, claims that he killed the former AWB leader out of self-defense after being sodomised in his farmhouse. His excuse, however, was questioned in the High Court.

Mahlangu’s lawyer, Kgomotso Tlouane said his client tried to retrieve his suitcase from Terre’Blanche’s house when he was confronted. Mahlangu claimed he was then sodomised and assaulted and could not escape. In self-defence he picked up an iron rod in the bedroom and hit Terre’Blanche. He also claimed Terre’Blanche was standing up when he hit him. He then fell onto the bed, where his body was found.

Investigating officer Lieutenant Colonel Tsietsi Mano testified that,

from myself and my investigation it [the sodomy claim] never surfaced, even during my interview with [the accused Chris Mahlangu].

Mano also denied Mahlangu’s version of events. He maintained his sworn statement was based on the information Mahlangu gave him after the murder.

[Mahlangu told me] that he could see Terre’Blanche lying on the bed. The deceased never saw or heard them as he was asleep. Mahlangu stated he went into a storeroom at the farm, where he found an iron rod. He and the teenager entered Terre’Blanche’s house through a window. They apparently found Terre’Blanche lying on his back on the bed. Mahlangu then hit Mr Terre’Blanche on the forehead with an iron rod. Two other blows followed on the face. There was a lot of blood… caused by the injuries. He repeatedly hit Terre’Blanche on the chest. His colleague took the rod from him. He hit Terre’Blanche in the face…  few blows on the chest as well. Mahlangu said he pulled Terre’Blanche’s pants down and exposed his genitals. His intention was to dismember Terre’Blanche. But he decided against it.

[Source: News24]