ABERDEEN NEWS — After a tense three weeks, judgement was finally given in the Grahamstown High Court on Monday, March 13, in the case of Winston Salie Booysen, standing trial on two counts of murder and one of theft.
Acting Judge Mabece found Booysen (aged 23) guilty on two counts of murder, and one of robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The first charge was the murder of his ex- girlfriend Brenda Finis at the end of November 2015. Finis was in Hoffman Street when she was approached by Booysen, who wanted her to go off with him. Neighbours contacted the police about the fight and reported that a man was trying to force a woman to go with him against her will. The police responded, but as they arrived, they saw the man stab the young woman in her chest area. They immediately called an ambulance, but the woman died in the street. Booysen then fled the scene before he could be apprehended.
Booysen stated that he acted in self-defense, claiming that Finis had stabbed him first. The Acting Judge stated that the evidence presented by the defence showed that the accused was in no danger and photos taken of him on that Sunday showed no such wounds. She further stated that he had placed himself at the scene and admitted to stabbing the deceased.
The second charge was also of murder, of the farmer Schalk Featherstone on his farm Glen Loch in December 2015. Featherstone was shot in his home, and the perpetrator drove off in his bakkie, which was found abandoned on the farm road. This happened on a Thursday evening, and on Saturday Aberdeen farmers, aided by many community members and others from further afield, organised a concerted search in Aberdeen, and following a tip-off were able to corner Booysen allowing the police to arrest him for the murder of Finis. He was also questioned as a suspect in the murder of Featherstone, and this charge was added at his first court appearance the following Monday.
In court, Booysen claimed that Morne Sas shot and killed Featherstone and that Andries (Seun) Williams drove the bakkie off the farm, and he was merely a passenger.
Acting Judge Mabece emphasised the relevance of the Pointing Out evidence, stating that this evidence was not circumstantial and that he regarded this as a confession. It was unfortunate that Andries Williams, who is currently in prison, refused to testify for either the State or the Defense. The Judge stated that what Booysen told the court during the Trial within a Trial was far from the truth. He had told his defence attorney, Henry Charles, that the farmers had inflicted the injuries to this face. However, when testifying, he claimed it was members of the Aberdeen SAPS. It became clear to the Judge that his injuries were due to him resisting arrest. By using his right to remain silent Booysen tried to distance himself from the three charges and attempted to blame someone else.
Judge Mabece commented that the overwhelming evidence presented by the State witnesses corroborated all aspects and that witnesses were clear and reliable.
Mitigating statements were given by State Advocate Jan Engelbrecht, stating that Booysen’s first offence was at age 13, where he received a 24 month suspended sentence for robbery, thereafter he received a 10 year (4 suspended) for rape. In 2014 he was convicted of using property without the owner’s consent and sentenced to a further six months for escaping from custody. Engelbrecht said that Booysen showed utter disrespect for the personal safety of other people and has no regard for human life. He said that members of society are entitled to be personally protected from Booysen.
Defence Advocate Henry Charles stated that Booysen was single, has no children, and the highest standard he passed at school was standard six. Booysen was employed by a local farmer at the time and earned R2000 per month, therefore contributing to the economy. He also stated that Booysen would have to live with the fact that he had killed two people.
Sentencing is set out for March 31.
Featherstone’s daughter Jeanine Ihlenfeldt would personally like to thank the amazing farming community in Aberdeen for the daily messages of support during the trial which kept their strength up. “To the Aberdeen SAPS, members of the Serious Crimes Unit in Port Elizabeth, you are our Heroes!!”
Speaking on behalf of the Aberdeen Farmers’ Association, chairman Dickie Ogilvie said that he was delighted that Booysen has been found guilty, and now hopes that an appropriate sentence will be handed down.
Cllr Willem Säfers of Lotusville commented that it is good that justice has prevailed, and urged all members of the community to unite against crime. “People must live knowing they are safe and well looked after, especially elderly people and those on farms” he added.
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