The man accused of public violence in Senekal, in the Free State, has been denied bail.
Magistrate Buti Mlangeni cited the possibility of him interfering with police investigations as one of the reasons for his decision.
Andre Pienaar appeared in the Senekal Magistrate’s Court today.
He was arrested last week after allegedly encouraging protesters to storm the courthouse and attack two accused who had been appearing there.
Amid the chaos, a police van was overturned and set alight by the angry crowd.
The suspect faces charges of attempted murder, malicious damage to property and public violence.
He has told court that he suffers from bipolar and takes chronic medication.
Pienaar’s case will return to court on November 20.
A state witness has accused him of having threatened and throttled a female police officer who tried preventing the protesters from entering court.
The group had been demanding justice for murdered 21-year-old local farm manager, Brendin Horner.
Police Minister Bheki Cele and his State Security counterpart Minister Ayanda Dlodlo will visit his family this afternoon.
The duo also plans on meeting with organised farming structures in the area in a bid to quell simmering tensions caused by Horner’s murder.