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Protests over SA shooting spree Protests over SA shooting spree
(about 2 hours later)
South African police have been struggling with protesters to get an 18-year-old white man accused of murder out of court after a hearing. South African police have clashed with protesters at the court appearance of an 18-year-old white man charged with the murder of four slum dwellers.
Johan Nel was arrested last week after a shooting spree at a slum dwelling in North West Province. The prosecution alleges that Johan Nel went on a shooting spree in North West Province. Nine others were wounded.
Four people died and nine were wounded in the incident. Many residents believe the shooting was racially motivated. The crowd broke down the main gate of the court house in Swartruggens and threw stones at the armoured police vehicle carrying the accused man.
Police say the attack's motive is still under investigation, but the BBC's Mpho Lakaje says the country is shocked. Many residents believe the shooting was racially motivated.
Police say the attack's motive is still under investigation, but the BBC's Mpho Lakaje says the many in the country are shocked at the incident.
The official opposition, The Democratic Alliance, has appealed for the shooting not be politicised.The official opposition, The Democratic Alliance, has appealed for the shooting not be politicised.
Roads barricadedRoads barricaded
The crowd outside the Swartruggens court have been chanting: "We want Nel!", the South African Press Association reports. The crowd outside the Swartruggens court chanted: "We want Nel!", the South African Press Association reports.
The police car transporting Mr Nel has been unable to clear a way through the crowd of protesters at the court gates after his court appearance. The police car transporting Mr Nel struggled to clear a way through the crowd of protesters at the court gates after his court appearance.
Our correspondent says the hearing is due to be followed by a memorial service for the victims, who include two young children.Our correspondent says the hearing is due to be followed by a memorial service for the victims, who include two young children.
Some residents have complained about racism in the farming area in the past, our reporter says.Some residents have complained about racism in the farming area in the past, our reporter says.
Last week, about 700 residents of Skielik informal settlement took to the streets, barricading roads with rocks, demanding justice.Last week, about 700 residents of Skielik informal settlement took to the streets, barricading roads with rocks, demanding justice.
The court demonstration was organised by the trade union federation Cosatu who intended to hand over a memorandum pushing for the denial of the suspect's bail application.The court demonstration was organised by the trade union federation Cosatu who intended to hand over a memorandum pushing for the denial of the suspect's bail application.
However, the case was postponed until 12 February.However, the case was postponed until 12 February.