The Northern Cape Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Thabo Mphuthi, along with the provincial management, has formally commended the Roodepan General Investigation Unit for its role in securing a significant conviction in a murder case. The Kimberley Regional Court has handed down a 15-year imprisonment sentence to two former security guards, 37-year-old Itumeleng Mogwemang and 33-year-old Neo Potlwane, for the murder of 51-year-old Willem van Der Westhuizen.
The court found that on Saturday, 09 April 2022, the two accused were on duty at a local supermarket when they apprehended Van Der Westhuizen for shoplifting. Instead of handling the situation through proper legal channels, the pair assaulted him.
The victim succumbed to the injuries he sustained during the assault while being transported to the Robert Mangaliso Sobukhwe Hospital. Mogwemang and Potlwane were subsequently arrested and charged with murder.
Following the trial, the Court found both accused guilty of murder. In addition to the 15-year prison sentence, the duo was declared unfit to possess firearms.
