AfriForum welcomes case against Jaco Swart being struck off the court roll

The case against Jaco Swart (26) of Delareyville - who was arrested on 20 May this year after shooting a burglar dead in self defence in his home at 02:00 on the morning of 16 May- was struck off the court roll in the town's Magistrate's Court this morning.  AfriForum, that supported Swart in court this morning, welcomed the case being struck off the roll.

According to Nantes Kelder, Head of Community Safety of AfriForum, the decision to strike the case off the roll, serves as confirmation that Swart had been arrested unjustly while he (Swart) in fact had been the victim, threatened by the burglars.  Kelder emphasised that AfriForum endorses the right of every individual to defend him/herself within the framework of the law.  "There is no doubt that Swart was merely defending himself against unwelcome intruders on his property.  In the light of the high number of farm murders, Swart's action was justified," Kelder added.

Kelder contended that the decision to arrest Swart had been politically motivated and that no legal grounds existed for any action against Swart.

Statement issued by Nantes Kelder, head of community safety for AfriForum, November 10 2008