MIDDLEBURG, November 16 (ANA) – Willem Oosthuizen and Theo Martins Jackson, accused of shoving a black man into a coffin while threatening to kill him in a video clip, abandoned their bail application in the Middleburg Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga on Wednesday.
The two stated that they feared for their lives and therefor would not continue with a scheduled bail application. The State had planned to oppose their bail application.
In a short video that has since gone viral on social media, the man, Victor Rethabile Mlotshwa, is seen pleading for his life after being placed inside the coffin while one of his tormentors tries to close the coffin. One is heard saying “… we need to pour petrol, now sit still”.
Oosthuizen and Jackson allegedly beat up Mlotshwa for walking through a farm. They then took him to another location and then put him in a coffin and threatened to kill him. The pair face charges of kidnapping and assault with intend of grievous bodily harm.
After the court proceedings, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the African National Congress (ANC) held separate rallies outside the court to support Mlotshwa.
Mlotshwa, clad in an ANC t-shirt, was announced as a member of the ANC by ANC Youth League deputy president Desmond Moela.
Magistrate Jongilizwe Dumehleli postponed the case to January 25 next year.
– African News Agency (ANA)
