Sean Swart, of Benoni, has been cleared of murdering Nardus Blokland, also of Benoni, at a pub in Tonteldoos, Mpumalanga, on November 4, 2022.

Benoni City Times reports that on Friday, Magistrate RJ Marais ruled the state failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Swart was responsible for Blokland’s death at the Highside Tavern, then reportedly owned by Swart.

The incident apparently occurred during Swart’s 40th birthday celebrations.

Court findings

The media received a press release from Tanya Aucamp on behalf of Swart, titled ‘Court clears Sean Swart: The truth behind the bar chair murder that never was’.

The press release states the court found the state failed to prove any causal link between Swart’s actions and the death of his friend, Blokland.

Swart, it further stated, was only convicted of assault ‘relating to a single admitted slap earlier in the evening’.

Family response

His father, Louis, is said to have expressed both relief and the deep toll the past three years have taken on his family, saying: “We are grateful that the truth has finally come out and that justice has prevailed. But the damage to Sean and our family cannot simply be undone. The past three and a half years have been devastating.

“As a family rooted in Benoni for most of our lives, we have always been part of our community. Yet, during this time, Sean was judged and condemned based on speculation and untested claims. While the court has now found him not guilty, the personal, financial and emotional impact remains profound.

“We can only hope that the same voices that were so quick to share the allegations will now be equally committed to sharing the truth.”

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