Mixed emotions over coffin case
Duo fail to secure bail pending their appeal
It was an emotional sight as the wife of one the two farm workers convicted of trying to kill Victor Mlotshwa wept silently in the court gallery following her husband’s failed bail bid in the Middelburg High Court yesterday.
Theo Jackson and Willem Oosthuizen were trying to get bail pending the outcomes of their petition to the Supreme Court of Appeal where they want to challenge their conviction and sentence.
Theo Jackson was sentenced to 14 years and his accomplice Willem Oosthuizen to 11 years behind bars.
Delivering her judgment‚ Judge Segopotje Mphahlele said the two had failed to raise any new evidence since the last time they appeared before her.
“I am still of the view that there are no reasonable prospects for this appeal‚” Mphahlele said.
“Whatever the outcome of the petition, and should they be given leave to appeal the sentence and conviction‚ taking into account the evidence presented and the seriousness of the charges‚ it is likely that the sentences to be imposed will be custodial‚” she said.
“Granting the appeal will be delaying the inevitable‚” Mphahlele said‚ while denying them bail.
The courtroom erupted into jubilation by members of the ANC present to support the duo’s victim‚ Victor Mlotshwa.
Outside court‚ Mlotshwa spoke to reporters, describing the process of coming to see his attackers as an “emotionally taxing task”.
He said despite all this‚ he will be pushing ahead with the civil claim against Jackson and Oosthuizen.
He wants to sue them for R400 000 for the emotional trauma and humiliation he claims to have suffered.
Jackson and Oosthuizen have been behind bars for over a month after they were found guilty of kidnapping‚ assault and the attempted murder of Mlotshwa.
The pair were arrested after a video they took of themselves forcing Mlotshwa into a coffin as he begged and pleaded for his life‚ went viral.
They threatened to put a snake in the coffin and burn Mlotshwa alive.
During the trial‚ the two said they were trying to scare Mlotshwa. –