Right-wing Activists Hofmeyr, Petzer, and Wessels Appear in Court on Charges of Public Violence

Three right-wing activists, Devon Hofmeyr, Willem Petzer, and Tewie Wessels, appeared in the district court in Groblersdal, Limpopo, to face charges of public violence and obstructing a police officer.

Reports from inside the court indicated a heavy police presence with five armed officers as the accused were brought to the dock.

The fourth suspect, Dries Olivier, was unable to attend court as he had submitted a sick note to the Groblersdal police office.

Photos circulating on social media showed Wessels, Hofmeyr, and Petzer arriving early in the morning at the police station with their bags, ready to face the charges.

The preliminary indictment against them includes charges of public violence, as well as obstructing a police officer in the line of duty, among other offenses.

On the 24th of January, the group took part in a demonstration outside the Groblersdal magistrate’s court during the appearance of Piet Groenewald and Stephan Greeff.

Groenewald and Greeff stand accused of assaulting a worker and allegedly setting a security dog on him, leading to protests by around 100 demonstrators, largely affiliated with the Bittereinders movement.

The protesters, displaying the Transvaals Vierkleur of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek, demanded the release of the two individuals, resulting in clashes with law enforcement and the subsequent arrest of Bittereinders leader Francois van der Merwe.

The state revealed on Monday that they would oppose bail for the accused, highlighting the seriousness of the charges brought against them.

Devon Hofmeyr, who is known as the son of prominent Afrikaans singer Steve Hofmeyr, was among those who faced the legal proceedings, underscoring the high-profile nature of the case.