Johann Botha. Foto: Reint Dykema
Die twee moordenaars van Johann Botha, televisie- en radiopersoonlikheid, is vandeesweek in die Johannesburg-hooggeregshof skuldig bevind aan moord.
Phini Louw-Mjonondwane, woordvoerder van die Nasionale Vervolgingsgesag (NVG) het aan Maroela Media bevestig dat Thembi Mbatha (19) en Qelani Moyo (31) Dinsdag skuldig bevind is aan klagte van moord, roof met verswarende omstandighede en die onwettige besit van ʼn vuurwapen en ammunisie.
Maroela Media het vroeër berig Botha en sy goeie vriend, Werner “Swazi” Perchtold (76), die eienaar van Zebra Inn-restaurant in Jeppestown, Johannesburg, het die aand van 7 Junie 2017 in die restaurant gekuier waar hulle doodgeskiet is. Die restaurant was een van Botha se gunsteling-kuierplekke.
Die verdagtes het omstreeks 19:20 by die restaurant ingestap en iets bestel om te drink. ʼn Ruk later het van die verdagtes vuurwapens uitgepluk en Botha en Swazi voor omstanders koelbloedig doodgeskiet. Die rowers het met ʼn onbekende bedrag geld en twee vuurwapens van die toneel gevlug.
Ntobeko Hlatshwayo (33) het in April saam met 15 ander verdagtes uit die Johannesburg- Medium A-tronk, oftewel Sun City, ontsnap. Die Valke het hom kort hierna doodgeskiet tydens ʼn poging om hom weer in hegtenis te neem. Nkosiyazi Phungula (27), wat ook ontsnap het en ook een van die beskuldigdes in Botha se saak is, is steeds op vrye voet.
Die vyfde verdagte, ene “DJ” is nooit aangekeer nie.
Botha, ʼn bekende in natuurbewaringskringe en die voormalige uitvoerende regisseur van die natuurprogram 50/50, was sedert begin verlede jaar die aanbieder van Pretoria FM se Sondagaandprogram Nagmusiek.
Die saak is tot 28 November uitgestel sodat ʼn voorvonnisverslag vir Mbatha voorberei kan word.
Twee goeie en nuttige mense sterf voortydig in die helhool. Ek is amper seker “Swazi” was ‘n voormalige 32 Bataljon soldaat.
32BN? Hulle is te jonk. Maak somme voordat jy beskuldig.
Lees mooi: “Swazi” was die 76-jarige slagoffer.
Huldeblyk deur Johann se broerskind, Samantha Duncan, op Facebook geplaas.
I’ve not really said a word publicly about the murder of my uncle, Johann Botha, last year. Last week Monday the murder trial started against 2 of the 5 accused. 1 suspect was never arrested, 4 were arrested and then 2 escaped. One was then shot dead when they tried to arrest him again, and one is still on the run.
After so much testifying and evidence, having to hear that my uncle BEGGED them not to shoot his friend Swazi (who the 5 were trying to rob), where my uncle said “please take everything, I will even take my phone right now and transfer as much money as you want”, and STILL they shot both of them… I have been sad, confused, angry… one of the most caring, intelligent, hard working people was violently murdered because someone just felt like it. I won’t ever make sense of it.
But the verdict came in today and both the accused were found GUILTY on counts of murder, robbery, and possession of illegal firearms and ammunition. To see the two accused lies being ignored and all their excuses dismissed…
Samantha Duncan huldeblyk – Deel 2
The reality will never change. Both my uncle and Swazi are gone and a guilty verdict won’t bring them back, but a sense of relief has washed over me. Knowing that there are consequences to these violent actions brings back a small semblance of security and hope.
I love you with my whole heart. Thank you for all the late night chats that turned into early morning philosophising. Thank you for showing me that caring with your whole heart about nature is something one can take pride in. Animals, plants, the universe, our purpose, morality, people… so many things we needed to go back to. Thank you for being so funny, and down to earth, and “cool”. Thank you for all the favors you did, and all the effort you put in. You were one of a kind and I’m so thankful you played a part in who I have become.