Alleged Racism: S/African White Farmers Found Guilty, Convicted

Two white South African farmers, Theo Martins Jackson and Willem Oosthuizen, have been convicted for attempted murder and kidnapping.

The duo had in August last year beaten and forced 27-year-old Victor Mlotshwa into a coffin.

A video of the incident went viral last year under the hashtag #coffinassault, igniting a discussion about racism in South Africa, and led to victim Victor Mlotshwa coming forward to police.

They pair have denied the charges.

Defending themselves in court on Friday, Jackson and Oosthuizen said they did not mean to harm Mr Mlotshwa but merely wanted to “teach him a lesson”, claiming he had threatened their families and committed theft.

However, in his judgement today, Judge Segopotje Mphahlele of the Middelburg Magistrates Court, found both men guilty.

Jackson was also convicted of one count of obstructing the administration of justice.

Following the verdict, supporters of the victim burst into songs of celebration.

“I’m relieved that justice has been served,” Mr Mlotshwa told the BBC.