Eight-year-old murder case suffers another delay

More than eight years have passed since 70-year-old Michael du Plessis was shot and killed in a business robbery but the eight men found guilty of the crime have still not been informed of their punishment.

Sentencing proceedings were due to begin on Monday, eight years after the first arrest was made.

But an absent defence attorney, a busy judge and power cuts in the Johannesburg High Court meant that those convicted of Du Plessis's murder will have to wait another day to hear their fate.

Eight men were found guilty of murder, robbery and illegally possessing firearms and ammunition in August 2013 while two men and a woman were acquitted.

The gang of eleven were accused of murdering Du Plessis, tying up his wife and several staff members and robbing the Du Plessis couple's home and business of R 108 250 in cash, two bakkies, wallets, identity documents, wrist watches, three gold rings and a silver pen on October 24, 2007.

Du Plessis and his family ran a building supplies business in Westonaria, south-west of Johannesburg.

Emily Baloyi, a sangoma who was acquitted, had been accused of instigating the crime. She was also accused of treating the perpetrators of the raid, their vehicles and firearms with muti for protection.

Eight years later, the convicts are still waiting for justice, they say.

Speaking in court while awaiting the arrival of Judge Gidfonia Makhanya who was due to postpone the case to Tuesday, Thabo Mazibuko said he and the other convicted men were frustrated with the number of delays in the case.

“This is a miscarriage of justice,” he said.

“We want to lodge a complaint with the relevant parties. The state is delaying our trial and delaying us justice.”