Barney’s wives lived in fear of having their teeth knocked out, witness tells court

ANOTHER former wife of alleged gang leader George “Barney” Peters, who has become a Section 204 witness, broke down in tears when she recalled how he allegedly terrorised her and knocked another wife’s teeth out.

She related that another wife’s legs had been broken when she tried to run away.

The accused – Peters, Britney Arends, Stephanie McAnda, Simone Rose, Chinaaz Mentoor, Abigail van Wyk, Chane Adams, Michael Peters, Clive Peters, Deon May, Pamerston Mentoor, Henry Blom, Tshepo Malambi, Nico Hofuza and Shawn Smith – are facing charges including murder, attempted murder, gang activity, the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area, public violence, money laundering, racketeering, defeating the ends of justice, assault, kidnapping, fraud and drug dealing.

Testifying in the Northern Cape High Court this week, the Section 204 witness claimed she witnessed Peters hitting McAnda until her teeth fell out because McAnda’s child was crying.

“We screamed to prevent him from throwing a gym weight on top of the child. He also boasted about assaulting his wives and remarked how the body of one of his wives was bruised and battered. What woman would not be afraid of him?” she asked.

She indicated that she “really did not know” why she returned to Peters after leaving him in 2022.

“Although he never assaulted me, I was always afraid that he would hurt me. Going to the police was not an option. I would have to ask permission to leave and he would hurt me if he knew what I was doing. I feared that Peters would circulate nude photographs of me, which I had sent to him, on social media.”

She related that she refused to have “Barney’s Property” tattooed on her forehead like the other wives.

“Peters became upset but later allowed me to have the tattoo done on my arm. We were required to tattoo the number ‘27’ on our bodies to show that we belonged to him. He once mentioned that the number ‘27’ signified that he wanted to have 27 wives. 

“We were known as the ‘Hollanders’. The people in Roodepan also called me a ‘Hollander’ and gestured with their hands as if they were pointing a gun when I went to visit my family.”

She added that they also had the words “Mbamba” and “King” tattooed on their bodies.

“I assumed that he felt like the king of all the women. After we obtained our own tattoo machine, Chane Adams was responsible for tattooing us.”

She stated that they were required to sell drugs in Kimberley, Kuruman and Prieska.

“I think he allowed me to visit my daughter and family if I was granted his permission because we grew up together and he knew my parents.

“He sent me a message to get more women for him. I said I knew that women did not want him as a boyfriend.”

She indicated that Peters became angry and prevented her from going to work after she visited his home with a friend over a weekend.

“He told me he ‘doesn’t care’ and that I should not talk to him about going to work that Monday. I stayed because I was involved in a relationship with him.”

She added that in June 2021 they were sitting and drinking when a song started playing.

“Peters said the ‘white bones’ were talking to him and that we should drive to Roodepan to hunt down Roger Johnson.”

Johnson is the alleged leader of the rival Madpacks gang.

The witness stated that Peters instructed some of the women to “get the tools”, referring to firearms.

“On the way we stopped in Canary Street in Roodepan where two brothers stayed in the yard of a tavern.

“Peters had an issue with the younger brother. He was carrying a firearm and approached the older brother when he came out of the yard. He apologised when we alerted him that it was not the same brother with whom he had an issue.”

She stated that they were unable to chase after a white Golf that they believed Johnson was travelling in and proceeded to the Roodepan flats.

“I was standing outside the flats when I heard shots being fired. McAnda and Michael Peters came down the stairs arguing. McAnda asked Michael how he managed to jam the gun. As they were trying to fix the gun, they almost shot me. 

“A few minutes later Peters arrived and told us to get into the vehicle because the police were on their way. Rose almost fell when we sped off because she tramped wrong while climbing into the vehicle. Peters shouted at the women when they told him that they had fired shots at the wrong door.”

She added that Peters instructed some of the women to take the firearms with them when he dropped them off in Lerato Park.

“The police stopped us at the three-way intersection in Roodepan and searched the vehicle. The women had firearms in their possession when we were transported in the police van to the police station. I was arrested and appeared in court, although I never handled any firearms.”

She believed that she was excluded from discussions to plot the death of another wife, Jacqueline Alberts, as Peters did not fully trust her.

“I was informed that Arends had an argument with Alberts about ‘who was taking Barney for a fool’ when she stabbed her. I do not know what really happened.”

Peters apologised to Judge Almé Stanton for trying to have her recused.

“I apologise for trying to chase my lady away – who is so patient. I am just a human being, I promise that it will never happen again.”

He noted that both Section 204 witnesses who were his former wives testified with their backs towards him.

“They are feeling guilty about lying about an innocent man.”

He insisted that his case should receive international television exposure.

“I want the world to know – my docket should go viral on the internet. The state has a weak case and is wasting my time. My name is being dragged through the mud. 

“Everyone says that I sell drugs and that I have a lot of money. Yet no one can answer why I was never caught with drugs. Where is the evidence? It is a false story, I was never a Hollander. Any one of the accused can undress to show that they don’t have a Hollander tjap (gang mark or tattoo).”