The families of the two men accused of killing Free State farm manager Brendin Horner claimed that the suspects were home the night of the murder.
Skwetje Mahlamba (32) and Sekola Matlaletsa (44) are expected to return to the Senekal magistrate court on Friday.
Their first court appearance sparked chaos by angry local farmers.
The chaos prompted visits from government’s security cluster, with calls for calm amid racial tensions.
However, their families refused to accept that Horner was killed by them.
They are of the opinion that the men are being used as scapegoats.
Matlaletsa’s mother-in-law, Maitumeleng Mofokeng said that despite his wrongdoings, her son-in-law has never killed a person and he was sleeping at home the night Horner was murdered.
“He slept drunk. We had an argument that evening while watching local soapies. After that, he went quiet on the couch and he passed out.”
Matlaletsa had been arrested 16 times on accusations that he’s a stock thief but despite that, his family is standing by him.
Mahlamba’s girlfriend, Maleqhoa Sithole also defended him.
Sithole said she was sure he was home that night.
“I don’t agree that he did a crime of this kind because, on the day of Brendin’s murder, I was with him.”
“That night, we were drinking together at home. In the evening, he took his things into the house and went to bed.”
Sithole claimed that her boyfriend was accused after Horner’s boss and farm owner, Gilly Scheppers, offered a R50,000 reward for information on his murder.
Skwetje and Matlaletsa’s will appear at the Senekal Magistrates Court on Friday morning and the Economic Freedom Fighters and AfriForum members made it known that they will be present in court.
