THE two suspects accused of murdering a Dutch missionary Riet Vuijk (68) and callously throwing her body from the uBombo Mountains two years ago, will hear their verdict at the Mtubatuba High Court on today.
After numerous delays, the murder trial finally got underway on Tuesday with judgment and sentencing scheduled this morning. Of the three accused, charges against Thokozani Mabika (30) were withdrawn after he turned state’s witness and agreed to testify against Leonard Gina (45) and Sandile Ngwenya (23).
In response, Gina amended his ‘not guilty’ plea to ‘guilty’ on all four counts.
Ngwenya followed suit, but only last week. In front of a handful of relatives, Gina and Ngwenya admitted guilt to all four counts – robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, murder and the unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm. The defence council for each of the accused read out their statements which detailed how Gina, a former employee of the deceased at her Jan Vuijk Children’s Home, wanted to confront Vuijk about outstanding money.
Ngwenya, brandishing a firearm given to him by Gina, and Mabika accompanied Gina to the home where they confronted Vuijk and ordered her to lie on the bed, tying her wrists and ankles. Gina demanded the money but when Vuijk did not respond, searched the house.
No money was found so the three loaded items including Vuijk’s laptop, printer and angle grinder into her vehicle. They also loaded Vuijk into the vehicle and drove away, Gina at the wheel. Reaching a remote area, Gina stopped the vehicle and ordered Ngwenya to shoot Vuijk. Unable to do so, Ngwenya suggested Gina carry out the act. He did so with a hammer, after which the three left Vuijk’s body and fled the scene.
In his statement, Gina indicated remorse for his actions and begged the court to show leniency. Summarising, Judge van Zyl noted that Gina led Ngwenya and Mabika in the robbery, subsequent activities and murder.
He went on to say that Gina ‘clearly had the intention to kill the deceased, and succeeded’. While Ngwenya couldn’t bring himself to kill Vuijk, Van Zyl noted that he didn’t dissuade Gina from doing so, nor did he take the necessary steps to disassociate himself from the killing.
Court was adjourned late Wednesday and sentencing will begin this morning.
