2 accused sentenced to effective 20 years for Theo Bekker farm murder

Two men have each been sentenced to an effective 20 years’ imprisonment for their involvement in the murder of farmer Theo Bekker and the attempted murder of his wife, Marlinda, during a farm attack in the Grootvlei area in July 2023.

Nkosingiphile Malinga, who was 16 at the time of the attack, and Samukelo Tshabalala, then 17, were sentenced by the Mpumalanga High Court sitting in Middelburg on October 15 after entering into a plea and sentence agreement with the State.

The case dates back to the morning of July 30, 2023, when the Bekkers were attacked on their farm in the Grootvlei area near Balfour.

According to reports published at the time, the attackers allegedly confronted Theo outside the house before forcing him back inside and demanding money and firearms.

Theo sustained fatal injuries during the attack.

His wife, Marlinda, was severely assaulted and sustained serious injuries. She reportedly managed to identify some of the attackers before losing consciousness.

The assailants fled with the couple’s vehicle, firearms, ammunition and other belongings, including electrical appliances.

The stolen vehicle, a Renault Kwid, was later involved in an accident near Villiers in the Free State.

Police were alerted to the crash, and a search was launched after the occupants reportedly fled the scene. All four suspects were subsequently arrested.

Two stolen firearms were recovered, while another firearm was reportedly found at the accident scene.

The four accused were initially expected to face charges including murder, attempted murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances in connection with the incident.

Malinga and Tshabalala later entered into a plea-and-sentence agreement under Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act.

The High Court accepted the agreement, resulting in their convictions and sentences.

Each man received 25 years’ imprisonment for murder, with five years suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of murder during that period.

They were also sentenced to 25 years for attempted murder, with five years suspended for five years on condition that they are not convicted of attempted murder during that period.

Further sentences included imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, contraventions of the Older Persons Act and offences under the Firearms Control Act.

The court ordered that the sentences on the remaining counts run concurrently with the murder sentence, leaving each accused to serve an effective 20 years behind bars.

The cases against the two remaining accused, Siyabonga Ziqubu, who was 18 at the time of the attack, and Kgahliso Motaung, then 19, have been separated.

The court has postponed their trial to November 6 to 17, 2028, at the Delmas High Court. Mpumalanga police provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise welcomed the sentences and commended the investigating officer from the Gert Sibande District Murder and Robbery Unit, the prosecution team and the judiciary for their roles in securing the convictions.

The SAPS said the sentences should send a strong message that attacks on farming communities and vulnerable older adults would be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.

The proceedings against the two remaining accused are still pending, and the court will determine the outcome of their trial.

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