INLSA

VICTIM: Chan�lle Henning was shot by Gerhardus du Plessis. Picture: Supplied

YOLANDE DU PREEZ

The man who is already in prison for the murder of Chanélle Henning, Gerhardus du Plessis, 34, yesterday pleaded guilty to a charge of corruption for stealing a murder docket.

He was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment, which will run concurrently with his 18-year sentence for murder, illegal possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition following Henning’s murder in a drive-by shooting shortly after dropping off her five-year-old son at school in Faerie Glen, Pretoria, in November.

Du Plessis’s plea and sentence followed after he had entered into a plea agreement with the State.

Magistrate Dawie Jacobs heard yesterday how Du Plessis had agreed in August last year to steal a murder docket in exchange for R10 000. The court heard how Du Plessis removed the murder docket of Frederick Olivier from the desk of the investigating officer after obtaining the key to his office under false pretences.

Olivier faced charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice after he was arrested in September 2010 for his alleged involvement in the death of Trymor Ziriri, who was found with a gunshot to the head.

According to the agreement presented to court, Du Plessis handed the docket to Olivier and in exchange received a number of payments from him amounting to R10 000.

In mitigation, the court heard that Du Plessis had three minor children and his wife was unemployed. His incarceration has left his family homeless because they will have to move out of the police quarters. In addition, Du Plessis was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The court heard that Du Plessis was aware of the aggravating factors against him. They included that, as a member of the SAPS, he owed the highest level of duty and honesty to the republic, the police and the public to uphold and enforce the law.