Coffin case farmers found guilty of attempted murder
–A judge yesterday found two white farmers guilty of attempted murder after they filmed themselves forcing a black man into a coffin and threatening to burn him alive.
Supporters of the victim burst out in celebratory song in the courtroom after judge Segopotje Mphahlele told the accused that “for attempted murder of Mr [Victor] Mlotshwa, I hereby find you both guilty”.
Willem Oosthuizen and Theo Martins Jackson, both wearing jackets and ties, were also found guilty of kidnapping, intimidation and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
They had pleaded not guilty to the incident last year in Mpumalanga, saying they only intended to scare Mlotshwa after he had allegedly stolen copper cables from their farm.
Two clips of footage taken on their mobile phones showed the assailants shoving Mlotshwa into the wooden coffin and pressing the lid closed with their boots as he begged for his life.
Members of the ruling ANC, the DA and the EFF rallied outside court and have attended each day of the trial.
When the first phone footage emerged several months ago, it triggered national outrage and led to the arrest of the two men.
The footage showed Mlotshwa begging “please don’t kill me”, while inside the coffin.
“Why shouldn’t we, when you are killing our farm?” one replied.
Mlotshwa was in court to hear the verdicts against the two men, who had alleged that Mlotshwa had threatened to kill their families and burn farm crops before he was forced into the coffin.
Outside court yesterday, protesters carried mock coffins decorated with pictures of the accused and called for them to be found
Why shouldn’t we ... you are killing our farm?
guilty on all charges.
Mlotshwa said he was walking to Middelburg to buy provisions for his mother and had decided to use a short cut when the two men spotted him on their farm. The families of the men told media they were shocked by the verdicts. –AFP