“You are a dangerous man with no emotion and no conscience.”

These were the words of Magistrate Emma Moloro in the Thembalethu Regional Court when she recently handed down judgment to Bonginkosi Ndevu (31) for the Janneké Bergman shooting in 2020.

She sentenced him to 40 years’ imprisonment.

Ndevu, who shot provincial traffic officer Bergman near Pacaltsdorp on August 7, 2020, was found guilty on all seven charges against him: two of attempted murder, possession of illegal firearms, possession of illegal ammunition, and pointing a firearm.

Moloro says the court did not find any substantial and compelling reasons to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentences.

Ndevu was sentenced to five years each on the attempted murder charges (charges one and three). Charge 3 relates to Ndevu shooting at a police officer.

On charge two, aggravated robbery, he was sentenced to 15 years, and on charges four, five, six, and seven—possession of illegal firearms, possession of illegal ammunition, and pointing a firearm—he was also sentenced to 15 years.

An emotional Bergman, who was present during judgment and sentencing, says she is pleased with the sentence and relieved that it is over.

“I am happy and relieved, just so relieved that it is done,” she says.

Her parents and several colleagues were there to support her. Hanki Marx acted for the state.

What happened on August 7, 2020

Bergman was shot when she assisted two of her colleagues during an arrest after they pulled over a silver Audi A4 on Beach Road, on the bridge near Stanmar Motors.

While officers were handcuffing Ndevu, a fight ensued, during which he pulled out a firearm and shot Bergman in the knee and left cheek.

He fled the scene on foot with the handcuffs still around one wrist.

The bullet that hit Bergman’s cheek exited through her neck, just above her shoulder.

Ndevu, from Khayelitsha in Cape Town, was arrested shortly afterwards when he was spotted walking along the highway. He allegedly opened fire on the two police officers who chased after him. The officers returned fire, wounding him twice.

Two firearms, one of which was Bergman’s service pistol, and an undisclosed amount of cash were found in his possession.