Johannesburg - Three men believed to have been behind the reign of terror that left two people dead and others wounded and traumatised in Muldersdrift have been found guilty.
Judge Moses Mavundla on Wednesday found Alfred Zwane, Samson Mandlezi and Manir Ubisi guilty on 15 counts that included the murders of 13-year-old Alyssa Botha and 50-year-old Andre Jordaan, three attempted murders, robbery with aggravating circumstances, housebreaking and illegal possession of firearms.
They had denied any knowledge of the crimes and said they had been coerced into making confessions by the police officers who had assaulted them.
Judge Mavundla rejected that on Wednesday, saying he was satisfied that the State had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
“The accused are guilty (on) all counts as charged,” he said.
As the judge read the conviction, Alyssa’s father Anton Botha and his daughter Meghan sat a few paces behind the three men, their faces beaming with happiness.
On the evening of September 5, 2012, Botha had just parked his car after picking up his daughters from a friend’s home when the trio shot and killed Alyssa.
The men shot Botha in the abdomen, and he lost a kidney as a result. They shot Meghan twice in the legs. The then 17-year-old had provincial colours in hockey, and the bullets ended her participation in sport.
Meghan’s wide smile in the Gauteng Division of the High Court, sitting in Palm Ridge, on Wednesday was a huge change from the tears shed as her younger sister’s last moments were described in court.
The 19-year-old, who is expecting her first child, said the conviction had brought her closure.
“It (the judgment) will never bring my sister back but at least they (Zwane, Mandlezi and Ubisi) should rot in jail. I am extremely happy, I can’t seem to get the smile off my face. Justice has been served,” she said.
Her father too was pleased with the judgment and hoped the three would get life sentences.
“This is a relief. We knew the case was strong, but we did not know what would happen. They should at least get life for each of the murders,” Botha said.
The 53-year-old said he was grateful for the support of strangers.
“When were in hospital, people we did not even know came to see us, and we will always be grateful for that.”
Botha said he was shocked at how the trio had no regard for life and just went around shooting people.
It was revealed in court how one of the accused pointed a gun at a woman at close range. When it jammed, he pushed the gun into her face again, pulled the trigger, and it jammed again.
“I don’t want to see them get parole,” he said.
Sentencing procedures were to start on Thursday.
The Star