3 North West Farmers Convicted of Murdering Farm Dweller in 2023, South Africans Celebrate
- Three farmers were found guilty of killing a farm dweller three years ago on a farm in the North West
- The trio appeared before the High Court in Pretoria after they pleaded not guilty to the gruesome murder
- South Africans were happy that the convicted murderers would be sentenced and called for them to be given stiff sentences
With 10 years’ experience, Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of the Current Affairs desk, South Africa, provided insights into the criminal justice system, crime statistics, commissions of inquiry, and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun.
Source: Twitter
PRETORIA, GAUTENG — The High Court in Pretoria found three farmers from the North West guilty of murdering a farm dweller in 2023. South Africans welcomed the verdict and called for them to receive the strictest punishment the law could hand down.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) posted the verdict on its Facebook page, The National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa, on 18 February 2026. Jaco Wessels Kemp, Louise Coetzee, and Gert Frederik van der Westhuizen were found guilty of murdering Dumisani Phakathi at Mamokgaleskraal, North West, on a chicken farm.
What happened to Dumisani Phakathi?
The NPA revealed that the three farmers were having a braai on 16 September at the chicken farm when they saw Phakathi walking past the farm gate. He was on his way to fetch water from a water source the community uses. The three accosted him and started assaulting him. They dragged him inside the farm, where they beat him to death.
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The South African Police Service (SAPS) later stopped Coetzee and Kempo in the early hours of the following day during a stop-and-search operation along the R511. The police found that the bakkie they were driving was filled with black refuse bags. When they investigated further, they were horrified to find human legs protruding from the bags. The police discovered Phakathi’s bloodied remains, with his head covered with a plastic bag. The duo was immediately arrested.
The police’s investigations linked Van Der Westhuizen to the crime. He handed himself over two days later. The trio pleaded not guilty to the charges. The NPA noted that they blamed each other. However, this was not enough as the state presented compelling evidence that they committed the gruesome act. The trio is expected to be sentenced on 16 March 2026.
Source: Facebook
South Africans call for stiff sentence
Netizens commenting on X demanded that they face the full might of the law.
Danny Sloa observed:
“Prison will be a hard place for them for the next 25 years. God is just. Life will deal with them.”
Mavundla was disgusted.
“Yoh! Some people are really evil. They brutally killed the guy who was simply minding his business to collect water, a source of life. Well done, South African Police Service and the NPA. Justice must be served.”
Ngcitshana exclaimed:
“Lock them up for good! I hate the South African life sentences of 25 years!”
Unknown Citizen was sarcastic:
“The real farm murderers.”
Bertha wondered:
“Imagine if more bakkies and farms were searched!”
3 Briefly News articles about farm murders
Three men appeared before the Mankweng Magistrates Court on 30 August 2024 after they were arrested for the murder of two women in Polokwane. The bodies of the two women were found in a pigsty outside Polokwane. One of the men who was arrested is the owner of the farm where the bodies were found.
A Free State farmer was arrested for murder after the decomposed body of a young man was found on a farm between Welkom and Kroonstad. The farmer appeared in court on 3 September 2025 on charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice.
The police launched an investigation after an 11-year-old boy allegedly accidentally discharged a firearm on 11 October 2025 and killed a farm worker. His 43-year-old father was arrested and charged with the negligent handling of a firearm.
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Source: Briefly News
