Slain Coligny teen’s family distraught over acquittal of two men
'My son is gone, and he will not come back. They (Doorewaard and Schutte) are enjoying themselves with their children,' said Sakkie Dingake.
Pieter Doorewaard and Phillip Schutte, found guilty of killing a teenager, Matlhomola Mosweu, who was thrown from a moving vehicle, look on during sentencing in Mafikeng, South Africa March 6, 2019. Picture: REUTERS / Siphiwe Sibeko
The family of slain Matlhomola Moshoeu is distraught over the acquittal of two men who were earlier convicted for his murder.
Moshoeu’s father Sakkie Dingake told eNCA on Monday that the decision by the Supreme Court of Appeal last week, to acquit Pieter Doorewaard and Phillip Schutte, hurt him.
The court found that Doorewaard and Schutte were not guilty of killing Moshoeu, 16, and overturned their convictions and sentence.
The SCA also found that the State didn’t prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Dingake said he misses his son and felt the pain of knowing he would never see him again.
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“My son is gone, and he will not come back. They (Doorewaard and Schutte) are enjoying themselves with their children. Whenever I have a meal, I miss my son while they are enjoying their meals with their children,” he told the broadcaster.
Failed
He felt that the law had failed him.
“We only heard on the news that they are free. If I didn’t have a radio, I would not have known about their outcome,” said Dingake.
Moshoeu died on 20 April 2017 in Coligny, North West.
Doorewaard and Schutte were later convicted by Judge Ronnie Hendricks in the North West High Court.
Hendricks sentenced Doorewaard to an effective 18 years and Schutte was sentenced to an effective 20-year jail term.
The men then challenged their convictions and sentences.
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