The Mpumalanga High Court has convicted and sentenced Sarel Petrus du Plessis (52) to life and an additional 38 years’ imprisonment.

Du Plessis was sentenced on Tuesday June 26 on one count of murder, three counts of attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and possession of ammunition.

According to the provincial spokesperson for National Prosecuting Authority, Monica Nyuswa, Du Plessis was working as a security manager when the incident happened near Uniform Farm, Tenbosch in Komatipoort.

“On December 5, 2018, the deceased, Bhekimuzi Anele Ziko (18 at the time), his elder brother and their two friends were walking around Daisa farm in Komatipoort, looking for temporary jobs since it was litchi harvesting season.

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Du Plessis assumed that they were trespassing and intended to steal some litches from the farm. He then drove in their direction, stopped the vehicle next to them, and took out his firearm. He started shooting at the victims. One died and the other three managed to escape unharmed,” said Nyuswa.

She also said that the accused denied the allegations levelled against him and State Advocate Eugene Mathebula led evidence of the surviving victims, who told the court about how the events unfolded on the day.

The victim impact statements were compiled by the deceased’s mother and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Nomfundo Mokoena. The mother detailed the pain and trauma caused by the accused in her life. She said the incident left her emotionally and physically traumatised. She was diagnosed with a chronic illness.

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Nyuswa added that in aggravation of the sentence, the state argued that the accused abused his power as a security manager and killed a defenceless young jobseeker.

Before passing the sentence, the presiding officer, Judge Nelisa Phiwokazi Mali, highlighted that the sentence must serve as a deterrent to society.

She found no reasons justifying deviation from the prescribed ordained sentence. Du Plessis was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, ten years imprisonment on each count of attempted murder, five years for possession of an unlicensed firearm, and three years for possession of ammunition.

The court ordered the sentence of life to run concurrently with the sentences imposed on other counts. Effectively the accused will serve life imprisonment. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.