DA Welcomes Life Sentences for Murderers of Councillor Baatjies and Friend
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape says it welcomes the life sentences handed down to four of the five accused, and eighteen years for the fifth accused, in the murder trial of DA councillor, Johannes Baatjies, and his business partner Jeffrey Shuping Nouse who were shot dead in 2016, just hours before Baatjies […]
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape says it welcomes the life sentences handed down to four of the five accused, and eighteen years for the fifth accused, in the murder trial of DA councillor, Johannes Baatjies, and his business partner Jeffrey Shuping Nouse who were shot dead in 2016, just hours before Baatjies was due to be sworn in as a councillor.
The five men were sentenced on Friday in the Northern Cape High Court for double murder. According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), “Baaitjies, a former Danielskuil ward councillor in the Kgatelopele municipality, was found dead on the main road between Danielskuil and Postmasburg in August 2016. He had been shot twice in the head and once in the torso. At the time of his death, he was with his friend Jeffrey Nose (31), who was also shot in the face and unfortunately passed seven days after the fateful incident.”
Baaitjies had been lured to a non-existent business meeting, to which he took business parter Nouse along with him.
The Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team’s efforts led to the arrest of Richard Magawu (32), within 48 hours following the tragic incident. Further investigations led to the arrest of others including, Charles Mpondomisa (42), Matthews Legodi (52) Richard Hasan (36), and Frank Baxane (34), in 2016 September and October respectively.
Magawu was reportedly an ANC official from a different ward who hadn’t won a seat in the election. A sixth suspect passed away before the sentencing.
Harold McGluwa – DA Northern Cape Provincial Chairperson & Chief Whip of the Provincial Caucus – said in a statement today: “We are relieved that the courts have dealt harshly with the perpetrators of this brutal crime and permanently removed them from society. The murder has made councillors serving on the Kgatelopele council, in Danielskuil, feel vulnerable and threatened. The harsh sentences must therefore send out a strong message to everyone that we are all free to enjoy political freedom and that no one has the right to punish anyone for their political choice.
“We are also glad that we can finally put this ordeal, that has already endured for more than three years, behind us. It has been a difficult time for the party, and even more so for the families of the deceased. While nothing can ever bring back Baatjies and Nouse, at least we have the comfort that justice was finally served.”
SAPS said: “The High Court has convicted the group for both murders, except for Magawu who was sentenced to 36 years imprisonment, the other four received double life sentences. Baxane and Mpondomisa received an additional four years imprisonment each for possession of firearm and ammunition.”
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Major General Kholekile Galawe, has commended the team for the excellent work done.