WARNING: This is Version 1 of my old archive, so Photos will NOT work and many links will NOT work. But you can find articles by searching on the Titles. There is a lot of information in this archive. Use the SEARCH BAR at the top right. Prior to December 2012; I was a pro-Christian type of Conservative. I was unaware of the mass of Jewish lies in history, especially the lies regarding WW2 and Hitler. So in here you will find pro-Jewish and pro-Israel material. I was definitely WRONG about the Boeremag and Janusz Walus. They were for real.
Original Post Date: 2008-12-12 Time: 17:00:10 Posted By: Jan
By Karen Breytenbach
After five taxing years for the family of Vicky McLachlan, the men who kidnapped, robbed, raped and killed the 19-year-old Diep River student and waitress have been handed double life sentences by the Cape High Court.
“She can rest in peace now, wherever she is,” said Vicky’s mother, Daphne McLachlan.
The Cape High Court trial took more than eight months.
“We’re pleased it’s over. It’s taken so long. It’s a huge relief. We thought this would never end. It was emotionally traumatic and draining for us,” Mrs McLachlan said.
Vicky’s aunt, Adrienne Murray, said the two women were relieved not to have to listen to another day of testimony.
“It was as though Vicky was being abused over and over again. We can let Vicky go now.”
Jonathan Fortune and Abdul Mogammat Gafoor were each handed two life sentences, one for murder and the other for rape, 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, five years for kidnapping, five years for indecent assault, and two years for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Johannes Petersen was sentenced to life for murder, 15 years for robbery, five years for kidnapping, and two years for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. He was acquitted of rape and indecent assault.
The trio’s sentences are to run concurrently.
Judge Dumisani Zondi, sitting with two assessors, said it was clear Gafoor had not only planned the attack, but had given instructions to his co-accused.
Zondi said it was curious that drug abuse had been raised earlier this week as a mitigating factor for Fortune, when it had not been part of his defence.
Commenting on the defence’s argument in mitigation of sentence that Petersen was mentally challenged and had a low IQ, Zondi said there was no clinical evidence to show a connection between his low intelligence and the crimes committed.
Before sentencing, Fortune made a last attempt at stalling proceedings by standing up and telling the court that he wanted a new lawyer and a retrial in a different court because his advocate “did not defend him”.
Zondi told him this was out of the question.
“It is too late now, Mr Fortune. You should have raised your concerns long ago. This is the end of the road.”
When Fortune said he did not understand, Zondi replied that it was “as simple as ABC”.
Fortune returned to his seat, looking disappointed.
Zondi said the court had carefully weighed the trio’s personal circumstances with the severity of the crimes and the interests of society.
None of the personal circumstances was compelling or substantial enough for the court to depart from the life sentences prescribed in the law on minimum sentencing.
Zondi said such crimes “posed a serious challenge to our democracy”.
“A clear message must be sent that such crimes cannot be tolerated. I have considered the impact on (McLachlan’s) family. Rape causes horrific suffering not only to the victim, but also to the victim’s family. It threatens every woman, especially the poor and vulnerable.”
Murray said she and her family were satisfied with the sentences imposed.