'Race' trial in South Africa

The killing exposed a raw nerve

Nine white South Africans are expected to appear in court on charges of murdering a black teenager nearly two months ago.

A bail hearing last month had to be adjourned when the court was overrun by angry black crowds.

It is alleged that the victim, Tshepo Matloga, was shot and killed as he trespassed on land owned by one of the defendants.

The nine suspects, all Afrikaan members of a local rugby club in the northern town of Pietersberg, are accused of beating Mr Matloga to death and dumping his body.

A BBC correspondent in Pietersberg says the case has exposed the country's lingering racial tension, raising the question of how much South Africa has actually changed since the abolition of apartheid.

Tension

This case and several other apparently racial attacks in rural areas of South Africa have caused outrage.

But black South Africans are not the only victims of the increasing violence and tension in the countryside.

Police are criticised for high crime rates

More than 30 white farmers were killed in the first two months of this year.

Tshepho Matloha was out hunting rabbits on one of the accused's farmland when it is alleged he was caught and killed.

A cousin who was with him was shot in the leg and so were five of their dogs.

His battered body was recovered by the police from a reservoir, a week after he had died.

Leading members of the ruling African National Congress attended his funeral at which there were calls for racists to lose their land.