‘ONS GAAN HOM VREK MAAK’ – Garies explodes after murder-accused policeman is granted bail

NewsSportLifestyleEntertainmentOpinionNews‘ONS GAAN HOM VREK MAAK’ – Garies explodes after murder-accused policeman is granted bailIsaac Cloete|Updated 13 hours agoCopy to ClipboardAsk AIANGER: Mense gathered outside the Garies courthouse

THE community of Garies was up in arms after a local policeman accused of murdering his girlfriend was granted bail.

Murder-accused Quintin Cloete (38), a police sergeant stationed in Garies, allegedly ran over his partner, Farren Maarman (27), with a vehicle.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, 11 October 2026, after Maarman had allegedly confronted him about Cloete seeing a skelmpie.

The omgekrapte gemeenskap of Garies petitioned to have Cloete denied bail and gathered at the courthouse on Thursday, 22 October.

But the large crowd exploded with anger when it was announced that magistrate Chris Byleveld had granted Cloete bail.

In his ruling, Byleveld noted that Cloete suffers from depression and granted him bail of R3 000.

Yolanda du Toit, a well-known activist from the movement Matzikama Broken Angels Network, was present at the court.

She was deeply distressed as she elaborated on the court proceedings:

Du Toit said: “It seems as though the phrase ‘in the interest of the community,’ carries no weight in this court.”

“I question the rules or processes of the Garies court regarding bail.

“Why did the magistrate refuse to accept the community’s petitions and letters from non-governmental organisations like mine?”

According to Du Toit, the message conveyed by the Garies court is that it is OK to commit crimes such as murder.

KWAAD: Police protect magistrate Chris Byleveld

One member of the crowd het skielik geskree: “Ons gaan Quintin vrek maak.”

Mense het lelik gevloek and insulted the magistrate, saying: “We want a different magistrate; this one must be replaced.”

Nog anders said: “All the police from Garies must also be removed.”

As the magistraat attempted to drive home, people blocked a security gate at the court.

Police had to protect him so that he could leave the courthouse safely.

They accused the police and the magistrate of taking sides and argued that bail should not have been granted to Cloete.

The large crowd became increasingly hostile and armed Public Order Policing (POPs) members struggled to contain them.

Billy Claasen, the executive director of the Rural and Farmworkers Development Association, and an activist for farm workers, did not mince his words.

He accused POPs unit of arrogance and another policewoman of being dronk.

After the drama, a wreath-laying ceremony for Maarman was held at the scene of the alleged incident.

Maarman will be laid to rest on Saturday, 31 October.

MOURNING: The community laid a wreath at the spot where Maarman's body lay