Pretoria – The High Court in Pretoria has convicted Jaco Wessels Kemp, 36, Louise Coetzee, 29, and Gert Frederik van der Westhuizen of the murder of Dumisani Phakathi following a violent assault at a chicken farm in Mamokgalieskraal in September 2023.
The court found that the three accused were responsible for the brutal killing after police discovered Phakathi’s body inside a vehicle during a stop-and-search operation along the R511 towards Brits.
All three had pleaded not guilty during trial proceedings and attempted to shift blame onto one another. However, State Prosecutor Advocate Lawrence More presented evidence through state witnesses that proved the State’s case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case drew public attention due to the circumstances surrounding the assault and the discovery of the body. The National Prosecuting Authority in Gauteng welcomed the conviction.
NPA Gauteng regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the conviction underscores the authority’s commitment to accountability.
“The NPA welcomes the conviction and reiterates its commitment to ensuring accountability for violent crimes, particularly those committed against vulnerable members of society,” Mahanjana said.
The matter has been postponed to March 16, 2026 for sentencing proceedings, where the court will determine the penalties to be imposed on the convicted individuals.
The ruling marks a significant development in a case that has raised broader concerns about violence against farm dwellers and the protection of vulnerable communities.
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