Angry crowd have demonstrated throughout the trial where farmers Willem Ooshuizen and Theo Jackson were found guilty of  attempted murder, kidnapping and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

In court last Monday for the start of sentencing proceedings, Willem Oosthuizen and Theo Jackson were contrite.

Until then they had insisted they’d simply tried to frighten their victim Victor Mlotshwa because he had stolen copper wire from them.

The wire was never produced.

The prosecution alleged that the actions of the two white men had been fueled by racism.

Oosthuizen and Jackson pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Crowds outside the court were angry that Judge Shela Mphahlele granted the two men bail for most of the ten-month trial.

She said the men had attended court regularly and on time during the trial.

She also said the community should trust that the wheels of justice were turning since they were convicted and that they should trust the courts to mete out justice during sentencing proceedings.

Mlotshwa says this incident has changed his life for the worst and he will not be satisfied with a jail sentence of less than 15 years for the guilty farmers.

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