A South African court sentenced two white farmers to 18 and 23 years in prison for the 2017 murder of a 15-year-old Black teenager, whose death triggered violent protests in a rural community.
Pieter Doorewaard, 28, and Philip Schutte, 35, were convicted of killing Matlhomola Mosweu after claiming he stole sunflowers from their farm. The boy died when Schutte allegedly threw him from a moving vehicle, causing a broken neck. The incident led to riots and looting of white-owned businesses in Coligny.
Judge Ronald Hendricks emphasized the severity of the crime, stating the defendants' actions were "disgraceful" and noting the community's outrage stemmed from perceived police inaction. The court also found the pair guilty of kidnapping and intimidation.
The sentencing followed a 2016 case in Mpumalanga where two white farmers imprisoned a Black man in a coffin after accusing him of trespassing. That incident resulted in 19- and 16-year sentences. Hendricks acknowledged the defendants were first-time offenders but ruled aggravating factors outweighed mitigating circumstances.
During the trial, Schutte's wife kissed him in the dock as the judge delivered his verdict. The ruling drew attention from activists and community members, highlighting ongoing tensions over racial and economic disparities in South Africa's agricultural sector.
