Racism: Two South African White Farmers Jailed Over Attempted Murder

Posted by African Examiner African News, Latest Headlines, South Africa, Southern Africa Friday, October 27th, 2017

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Two white farmers in South Africa who forced a black man into a coffin have been convicted and sentenced to over 10 years in jail each.

The convicted, Theo Martins Jackson and Willem Oosthuizen were first convicted in August for attempted murder and kidnapping.

The two men accused Victor Mlotshwa of trespassing on their land, therefore, beat him up, put him inside a coffin and threatened to burn him alive.

While Jackson, 30, will be jailed for 14 years Oosthuizen, 29, will be behind the bar for 11 years.

Judge Segopotje Mphahlele held that her sentence was influenced by the fact that men seemed to have been driven by racism when they attacked Mr. Molotshwa and had shown no remorse during the proceedings.

Justice Segopotje said “both men are aged 29 and 30 and would have spent most of their lives in democratic South Africa.”

She held that her ruling was meant to send a harsh message to communities that still practised racism.

However, many white farmers feel the sentences were too harsh and that the courts have become politicised, with relatively rare cases like this one getting all the attention, while – away from the spotlight alleged that white farmers are routinely robbed and murdered.

The two convicts reportedly intend to appeal the sentence.