WATCH: Alberton couple convicted of premeditated murder over the death of Verwoerdpark woman and theft of vehicles

An Alberton couple, Werner Jack Schoeman and Delichia Bekker, have been convicted of premeditated murder and theft following their appearance in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Schoeman and Bekker faced charges including murder (count one) and theft (count two).

After almost three years of court processes and trial, the pair were finally convicted on all counts.

In November 2023, an elderly woman’s severely decomposed body was found dumped in a veld near Radio Road in Alberton North.

ALSO READ: Decomposed body found in Alberton: Siblings claim sister ‘covered up mother’s murder’

It later emerged that the deceased was 75-year-old Susan Gillian Murray. At the time of her death, Susan lived on Oribi Street in Verwoerdpark.

The deceased’s death certificate stated she died on November 3, 2023. However, evidence before the court showed that she had died long before that due to the decomposing state of her corpse.

Arrests followed after the discovery of the body. A police investigation linked Bekker to the death of her mother, and she was placed under arrest. Days after Bekker’s arrest, police caught Schoeman hiding in South Hills.

ALSO READ: Murder suspect arrested after hiding in South Hills region 

Both were charged with the killing and the theft of three vehicles from the deceased’s property. Police recovered all three vehicles around the time of the arrests.

Guilty of all charges

In handing down judgment, presiding magistrate Isabella Mlaba said: “This court finds that the state has proved its case against both accused beyond reasonable doubt. Both accused one and two are found guilty of murder, read with the provisions of section 51 subsection one of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997, as referred to in part one of schedule two, premeditated murder.”

Mlaba described the second charge as ‘count two, theft of motor vehicles, three motor vehicles’, and said Schoeman and Bekker’s actions met the doctrine of common purpose.

This rule holds a group of people jointly responsible for a crime. If two or more people agree to commit a crime or actively take part in a joint unlawful enterprise, each person can be held liable for the criminal acts committed by any member of the group.

The court has found Schoeman and Bekker guilty but has not sentenced them.

The matter has been adjourned until October 30 for the pre-sentence and victim impact report. Schoeman and Bekker remain in custody.

WATCH: Alberton murder-accused couple: Deceased’s daughter takes the stand, denies murder involvement