Coffin Assault Accused Are Found Guilty of Kidnapping & Attempted Murder

The accused men in South Africa’s notorious #CoffinAssault (Coffin Assault) case – Theo Jackson and Willem Oosthuizen – have been found guilty of attempted murder.

The case rocked South Africa and caused racial tensions when a video that the white men had filmed of themselves, on a farm in Mpumalanga, showed them forcing a black man – Victor Mlotshwa – into a wooden coffin and threatening to pour in gasoline and burn him alive. While he can be heard crying and begging for his life in the video clips, they also threatened to put a snake in the coffin.

The two men were found guilty on six of seven charges… including kidnapping, intimidation and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Watch below as the #CoffinAssault judgement was read:

https://twitter.com/ANN7tv/status/901070044997791744

Last year they had pleaded not guilty, claiming they only meant to scare Mlotshwa; but Prosecution argued that the men’s actions were fuelled by racism. Mlotshwa had allegedly stolen copper cables from their farm. Judge Mphahlele noted during reading of evidence given by Oosthuizen, that Mlotshwa had pleaded to be beaten rather than taken to the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Supporters from the Economic Freedom Fighters, Democratic Alliance and African National Congress were present in and outside of the High Court in Middleburg.

On Twitter:

A few EFF members have also joined in. #CoffinAssault pic.twitter.com/qr3waY8YB2

— Koketso Dlongolo (@Kokid8) August 25, 2017

ANCYL members are carrying coffins and a picture of the two accused. They're singing "Senzeni nna" – what have we done.#CoffinAssault pic.twitter.com/jijCWmFGpn

— Koketso Dlongolo (@Kokid8) August 25, 2017

Its judgement day in the #CoffinAssault case Theo Jackson and Willem Oosthuizen are already in court pic.twitter.com/6ZMuibTMC9

— malungelo booi (@malungelob) August 25, 2017

https://twitter.com/Kokid8/status/900995182635741184