Security manager sentenced to life in prison for murdering Mpumalanga teen looking for work

26 Jun 2024

More than five years after security manager Sarel Petrus du Plessis shot and killed an 18-year-old Grade 11 learner he suspected of stealing litchis from a farm in Mpumalanga, he was sentenced to life imprisonment on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, 25 June 2024, the Mpumalanga High Court sentenced Sarel du Plessis, a security manager, to life behind bars for the murder of 18-year-old Bhekimuzi Anele Ziko.

In addition, he was given 10 years for each of the three counts of attempted murder, five years for the unlicensed possession of a firearm, and three years for the possession of ammunition. The sentences will run concurrently. Additionally, he was declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Du Plessis (52) was arrested on 8 December 2018 on charges of murdering Ziko and shooting at his brother and friends. They had been looking for a vacation job during the school holidays.

‘Pain and trauma’

According to Monica Nyuswa, regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in Mpumalanga, the shooting occurred on 5 December 2018 near Uniform Farm, Tendabosch, in the Komatipoort district.

Ziko, his brother and two friends were walking around Daisa Farm in search of temporary jobs during the litchi harvest season. Ziko was a Grade 11 learner at Lovunywa High School in Langeloop Village, Mpumalanga.

The court found that Du Plessis, the farm’s security manager, believed they were trespassing and intended to steal litchis from the farm.

Nyuswa explained how their search for work turned deadly when Du Plessis confronted the group.

“Du Plessis drove towards their direction, stopped his vehicle and took out his firearm. He started shooting at the victims; Ziko was fatally shot, while his brother and friends ran away.”

Throughout the trial, Du Plessis denied the allegations. However, advocate Eugene Mathebula presented compelling evidence, including testimony from the survivors who vividly described what happened on that day.

“Victim impact statements compiled by the deceased’s mother, facilitated by court preparation officer Nomfundo Mokoena wherein she detailed the pain and trauma caused (to her) by the accused, were presented.

“She said the incident left her emotionally and physically traumatised. She was even diagnosed with a chronic illness,” Nyuswa said.

No mitigating factors

In aggravation of sentence, the State said the accused had abused his power as a security manager and killed a defenceless young jobseeker.

Judge Nelisa Phiwokazi Mali said the sentence should serve as a deterrent to others. Mali found no mitigating factors that could justify deviating from the prescribed sentence.

Acting Mpumalanga police commissioner Major-General Zeph Mkhwanazi emphasised that the life sentence would serve as a deterrent to others.

“The subject of firearms is a concern to us because these weapons are often used in the commission of violent crimes. We hope that this sentence will bring closure to the victim’s family,” he said.

The sentencing of Du Plessis comes days after former policeman Marius van der Westhuizen, who served 13 years for the 2006 murder of his three children, was granted parole. He will be released on 31 July.

The decision to release Van der Westhuizen on parole has sparked outrage from the civil rights organisation Action Society. The organisation’s director, Kaylynn Palm, said Van der Westhuizen was a child murderer who should remain in prison. DM

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‘Pain and trauma’

No mitigating factors