#CoffinAssault pair denied bail to appeal convictions

Theo Martins Jackson (right) and Willem Oosthuizen inside the court before they were sentenced. Photo: ANA

Theo Martins Jackson (right) and Willem Oosthuizen inside the court before they were sentenced. Photo: ANA

Published Dec 7, 2017

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Cape Town - The two men who were convicted for assaulting farmworker Victor Mlotshwa and then shoving him into a coffin on Thursday had their bail applications denied following an application to appeal their convictions.

Willem Oosthuizen and Theo Jackson were convicted for the assault in August and were sentenced to 11 years and 14 years in prison respectively in the Middelburg High Court in Mpumalanga.

Judge Sheila Mphahlele found Oosthuizen and Jackson guilty of attempted murder, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, kidnapping, and intimidation. 

One of the men was also found guilty of obstructing the administration of justice.

They have submitted papers to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) to have their sentences reviewed.

During the hearing, Oosthuizen has requested to be released on bail as he is a breadwinner but Mphahlele argued that Oosthuizen has previously said that his wife could continue with his vegetable business without him.

Oosthuizen and Jackson were arrested late last year shortly after a video of the incident went viral on social media and sparked outrage as well as making headlines internationally. 

IOL

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