'Acted in common purpose': Ex-Clover workers found guilty for murder of security officers

15 October 2024 - 13:19 By TimesLIVE
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
AfriForum investigator Andrew Leask, police investigator Capt Robert Seckle, Michelle Bebbington and prosecutor advocate Matthews Rampyapedi.
AfriForum investigator Andrew Leask, police investigator Capt Robert Seckle, Michelle Bebbington and prosecutor advocate Matthews Rampyapedi.
Image: Afriforum

The Johannesburg high court has convicted former Clover employees Mohale Shokane and Vusumuzi Duumba of the murder of security officers Terence Tegg and JJ Cassanga.

Security guard JJ Cassanga died after being assaulted during a violent strike at Clover.
Security guard JJ Cassanga died after being assaulted during a violent strike at Clover.
Image: Supplied

Sentencing proceedings will begin on Wednesday, according to AfriForum’s private prosecution unit, which helped gather evidence in the case as representatives of Tegg’s fiancée Michelle Bebbington and the Cassanga family.

On February 17 2022, striking Clover employees attacked several guards outside the dairy producer’s facility in Olifantsfontein.

Distressing video footage showed how the mob ambushed and overwhelmed Tegg, who worked for a security company contracted during the strike. He was punched and kicked to the floor before rocks and others items were used to smash his head. The attackers then robbed Tegg of his wallet, shotgun and ammunition.

Cassanga was chased and overwhelmed and his head smashed and beaten with his own shotgun. While Tegg died on the day, Cassanga died in June that year as a result of complications from the injuries he sustained.

Security officer Terence Tegg was fatally assaulted by Clover employees during a violent strike.
Security officer Terence Tegg was fatally assaulted by Clover employees during a violent strike.
Image: Supplied

The court found the accused were part of the group that acted in common purpose when it attacked the security officers and their intention was to murder Tegg and Cassanga. 

Barry Bateman, spokesperson for the AfriForum unit, said the conviction demonstrated how close work between the state and the unit can ensure justice for victims of crime. A detective ensured critical evidence was gathered and analysed, the unit commissioned a video expert, and helped assess the surveillance footage and video recorded on cellphones.

Using clothing and other identifying markers, an expert tracked each individual’s movement on the day and how they were involved in the murders, he said.

TimesLIVE


subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.