Sentences for Coligny murder welcomed
THE hefty sentences handed to two men convicted of murdering Coligny teenager Matlhomola Moshoeu over sunflower heads worth R80 have been widely welcomed.
Phumla Williams, acting head of the Government Communication and Information System, called on political parties to work together to foster reconciliation in Coligny and to mend the divisions caused by the teen’s death.
“The task of building a safe and prosperous South Africa requires a social pact amongst all South Africans,” she said.
North West High Court Judge Ronnie Hendricks sentenced Pieter Doorewaard, 28, and Phillip Schutte, 35, to an effective 18 and 23 years respectively for killing the 16-year-old.
They were further sentenced to three years for kidnapping, two years for intimidation, one year for theft and two years for pointing a firearm. These terms will run concurrently.
Judge Hendricks said he had to consider that the murder was not planned, there was no intention to kill the teenager, and the two were first offenders. As such he deviated from imposing life sentences.
The men killed the teen on April 20, 2017 by pushing him out of a moving van after they found him stealing sunflower heads worth R80 at their employer’s farm near Scotland informal settlement.
Moshoeu’s death sparked violent protests that left six houses and three trucks burnt, and racial tension flared.
Moshoeu’s father Sakkie Dingake said he had expected the court to impose life sentences.
“I have not accepted that my child is dead, it is painful for me. I am still hurt.”
North West police commissioner Lieutenant-General Baile Motswenyane also welcomed the sentences, saying “the long arm of the law” would show no mercy to perpetrators of crime.