Evander Court sends Sanele de Baard to jail for murder and attempted murder
Dladla said he wished De Baard wished De Baard be removed from the community because he was dangerous and he also told the court that before De Baard shot his children, they met in the morning and De Baard promised him he was going to kill all of his children.
The Evander Regional Court sentenced Sanele de Baard (34) on November 29 to life imprisonment for murder, attempted murder and assault.
De Baard was arrested three years ago when Sifiso Dladla was shot and killed at his home in eMbalenhle.
Sifiso’s sister was also shot but survived the attack.
After he was released on bail, De Baard committed other offences that included attempted murder, assaults and pointing a firearm at someone. He received suspended sentences for these crimes.
Before sentencing, magistrate Charmaine la Marque called the victim’s father, Abel Dladla, to the stand and asked him what sentence he wanted imposed on De Baard.
Dladla said he already lost his son, and nearly buried both of his children because of De Baard. He wished De Baard be removed from the community because he was dangerous.
He told the court on the morning of Sifiso’s murder, De Baard threatened to kill all Abel’s children. Dladla said Sifiso’s death added to the financial strain on the family because he was working and supporting the family.
“Sifiso has a child who is now an orphan because of this man. When I look at my grandchild, my heart breaks,” said Dladla.
Before De Baard’s arrest, a detective task team led by the now retired Captain Simon Mlotshwa, worked tirelessly to catch the man they suspected to be the culprit in numerous cases of assault, pointing of a firearm at people, murder and attempted murder in eMbalenhle. De Baard was arrested when Sergeant Melusi Mthombeni was given the case.
Mthombeni said if it was not for the work done by the task team, De Baard would still have been terrorising the community.
He thanked his colleagues for a job well done.
