THE four men accused of murdering metro police officer Martiens Banns of Edleen were found guilty on Thursday afternoon.
Sentencing came just over a year they shot Bann on July 11 while he attempted to assist his neighbours, the Bothas, during a house robbery.
Paul Manyathela (23), Clement Mosweu (26), Lebogang Mdebele (24) and Bheki Nkosi (25) were handed down their judgement at the Johannesburg High Court.
All four men sat quietly, listening to the judge. The courtroom was almost empty, except for Bann’s wife, Engela, her daughter and two other men who accompanied the women. Frikkie Botha, whose house was robbed the day of the incident, was also in attendance.
Two other women were also in court and sat two rows behind the accused.
Judge Windell said the evidence brought forward by the state, as well as the testimony provided by witnesses the past year, proved beyond doubt that the four men were involved in the murder.
During the long court procedure, Windell began by recalling all the evidence the court had gathered regarding the incident last year.
“The evidence brought forward by the state is sufficient. It shows all four accused were involved and although it is not clear who shot and killed the deceased, it is clear it was one of the accused,” Windell said.
The court heard adequate evidence to confirm Nkosi was holding the gun on the day of the incident. He had also threatened to shoot Botha.
“All four of the accused had the common purpose of robbing the Botha residence on that day and foresaw the possibility of a murder being committed but still went ahead with the crime.”
Windell then asked the four men to stand. She found them guilty on all charges, including murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances as well as the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The accused stood still and were calm throughout the judgement, with none of them showing any emotion.
State prosecutor Advocate Mohamed Faghre provided the court with evidence showing Bheki had two previous convictions and was found guilty of robbery in 2011. He did not deny this.
One of the other accused was convicted on two counts of housebreaking in 2003 and in 2004 of robbery.
After the court had adjourned, one of the accused turned around and communicated with a young woman who was in court. She carried two plastic bags and told the accused in SeSotho: “I’ve got some of your clothes here.”
Outside the courtroom, Bann’s family told EXPRESS they were relieved the court found the accused guilty.
Botha said everyone just wanted to get this whole case over and done with so they could put it behind them.
The four men, who remain in custody, will be sentenced tomorrow (Friday).
