An Eersterust father remains hopeful that justice would prevail in the trial of a man accused of his son’s murder.
The trial of Mark Booysen started in the Pretoria high court last week after the case was postponed twice. He has been charged of the murder of Dean Jafta (20), who was reported missing in March 2017 and his body was discovered later that month in Midrand.
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His family only learned of his murder in November last year because the police were unable to identify his body.
Jafta was buried as unknown, but after the discovery, his body was exhumed and he was properly buried by his family.
“I just want the truth to come out,” Jafta’s father, Denzil told Rekord this week.
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“It was a long wait for us as a family and we have been through hell.
“At this moment I still feel a bit in the dark about the case. I don’t know if the truth will come out in court, but I won’t stop looking for answers.”
Denzil said he was upset about hearing about his son’s death during court proceedings when it was revealed Jafta was shot execution-style in the neck.
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“It was my birthday and I had to hear that. I was terribly traumatised,” he said.
“As a parent, it was not an easy thing to hear – I know my son was killed, but to hear exactly how, is another matter.”
Jafta was born and bred in Eersterust, Denzil said.
“He was a very humble, shy and honest person and I don’t just say it because he was my son and was killed,” he said.
“I would definitely not have pursued this case if my son was a criminal, but he wasn’t – he was still so young and didn’t deserve it.”
Denzil said since Jafta’s disappearance, the family had received much support from the Eersterust community.
“They have helped and supported us since he was reported missing until his identity was established last year,” he said.
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“We greatly appreciate this support.”
During court proceedings Booysen denied he had anything to do with the murder.
Meanwhile, the court also heard evidence of a second murder in which Booysen was allegedly involved.
Eersterust resident Ulrich Heugh was shot dead a few months after Jafta’s killing.
It is alleged the same firearm was used in both crimes.
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