Father and sons sentenced to life for retaliating against robbers

A MAN and his two sons were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Kimberley Regional Court after they retaliated against three men who had allegedly robbed them of their cellphones and shoes.

Northern Cape National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the two brothers - Clyde de Koker, 24, and Neillon de Koker, 30 - were robbed while walking home from a nightclub on December 1, 2019.

“After being robbed, they went home and reported the incident to their father - Give de Koker, 60. The three decided to search for the robbers. On the way, they met one of the suspects whom they alleged had robbed them. The ‘’suspect’ ran away when he saw the accused climbing out of the car,” said Senokoatsane.

He added that they caught the suspect and started to physically assault him.

“He was kicked, stabbed with a knife, and hit with a golf stick. After assaulting him they left him to die without ever establishing if he had taken the stolen items. Through diligent investigations by the South African Police Service, the father and his two sons were arrested and charged with murder.”

Senokoatsane added that during the trial, the State prosecutor, Dineo Mathule, argued that the accused acted with a common purpose.

“He pointed out that the offence was premeditated as they were armed with a knife and golf stick that they used to attack their victim. None of the items belonging to the accused were found in the possession of the deceased. The deceased’s right to life was taken away by the accused persons and his right to human dignity was violated. The offence of murder is prevalent within the court's jurisdiction. During sentencing, the court agreed with the prosecution that there were no substantial or compelling reasons to deviate from the minimum sentence of life imprisonment. They were also all declared unfit to possess firearms.”

Senokoatsane went on to say that the NPA would continue to prosecute crimes that affected the safety and well-being of communities and ensure justice for victims of crime.

“It can never be over-emphasised how important human life is and therefore the NPA will be vigorous in its pursuit of these cases, in order to serve as a deterrent to would-be murderers.”