Coffin assault pair found guilty of attempted murder

The high court sitting in Middleburg on Friday found the two men accused of assaulting a farmworker and shoving him into a coffin guilty of attempted murder.

The men will be sentenced in two months time, on August 23.

Willem Oosthuizen and Theo Jackson were convicted on all counts, except one, for assaulting farmworker Victor Mlotshwa and shoving him into a coffin.

Judge Sheila Mphahlele, in handing down judgment, said she was satisfied the state had proven the charge beyond reasonable doubt.

Judge Mphahlele said Oosthuizen and Jackson’s conduct at the secluded spot where the video was taken showed they had wanted to commit murder.

Oosthuizen and Jackson were also found guilty of 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.

The pair were arrested late last year after a video of the incident went viral on social media, sparked outrage and made headlines internationally.

The charge for which they were not found guilty was the illegal possession of a firearm. Mphahelele said this charge was not proven.