Coffin assault victim wants 15-year jail sentence for the accused

The two men found guilty of assault, attempted murder, kidnapping and intimidation for forcing a man into a coffin and threatening to set it alight, are expected to be sentenced on Monday by the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court.

Theo Jackson and Willem Oosthuizen were found guilty in August after being arrested for forcing Victor Mlotshwa into a coffin last year.

The two alleged they had caught him with stolen copper cable in his possession. Footage of the attack, filmed with a cellphone, went viral, leading to the duo’s arrest.

On Monday, at the start of their sentencing hearing, state prosecutor Robert Molokoane accused Jackson and Oosthuizen of lying about feeling remorseful for their actions, saying the two saw nothing wrong with their actions.

The pair had claimed during their trial they merely wanted to scare Mlotshwa after he allegedly threatened to burn their crops and murder their wives and children.

Mlotshwa, during questioning from Wayne Gibbs, for Oosthuisen, admitted on Monday he told a social worker that he has fully recovered and is a strong person.

He claimed he had said that because she did not ask him about his nightmares. Org Basson, for Jackson, put it to Mlotshwa that he had become an internet sensation, but Mlotswha denied that he had given any interviews.

“There’s a video in which you thank people for their support,” Basson said, showing Mlotshwa a cellphone with a screen clip of the video.

He said he would not delay court proceedings by showing him the video. Basson also questioned whether Mlotshwa had actually seen a social worker, as he claimed.

He asked Mlotshwa who she was and how many times he met with her. Mlotshwa said he met with her about 16 times, but could not recall her name or the address at which he saw her.

Mlotshwa said the ANC had paid for his counselling. Earlier, Molokoane asked Mlotshwa what sentence he thought the accused should to get. “I want them to get 15 years or more,” he replied. – news@citizen.co.za