The judge who sentenced Sizzlers mass-murderer Adam Woest to nine life sentences says he stands by his recommendation that “the accused should be permanently removed from society”.
Now retired, judge Nathan Erasmus was commenting on his March 2004 sentencing in the Cape Town high court of waiter Woest and taxi driver Trevor Thys for their January 2003 murders of nine men and the attempted murder of another in the Sea Point massage parlour.
“I have no further comments other than the remarks I made at the time of my sentencing because those are my true sentiments and recommendations. I stand by those words,” said Erasmus.
A petition opposing Woest’s possible parole has been signed by 11,400 people. It was launched a year ago on Change.org by Leigh Visser, the sister of victim Warren Visser, after the department of correctional services (DCS) told her family Woest had been a parole candidate since 2016.
However, DCS has said Woest has not satisfied parole requirements.
Visser’s petition calls on President Cyril Ramaphosa to halt his early parole and revise the law that allows lifers who committed their crimes before 2004 to be released after 12 years of their sentence. She has received no official response.
The Sizzlers prosecutor and investigating officer have backed Erasmus’s sentencing recommendations.
“I completely agreed with the judge at the time and still do,” said adv Anthony Stephen. “It was an horrific, hateful massacre, possibly motivated by homophobia.
“And Woest has never, to my knowledge, shown any remorse or explained why he cold bloodily executed nine men. Without repentance, there can’t be forgiveness.”
The Sizzlers massacre is the most horrific case I dealt with in my 35 years as a violent crime detective.
— Former Hawks captain Jonathan Morris
“Has the parole board seen the crime scene photos?” asked retired investigating officer Jonathan Morris, a former Hawks captain who has yet to be contacted by the parole board.
“One look at those photos, which still haunt me, will tell them what sort of murderer they are considering releasing. I had a lot of interaction with Woest and I’m convinced he will kill again if released.
“The Sizzlers massacre is the most horrific case I dealt with in my 35 years as a violent crime detective. The case still traumatises me and it still traumatises the victims’ families. To make it worse, he never showed a shred of remorse after his arrest and never apologised to the families.
“Woest refused to say this in court, but he told me several times that the government shouldn’t waste their money on him and should just end it with a bullet. If he was prepared to accept the death penalty, then he should accept life in prison for what he did.”
Public statements from judge, prosecutor and investigating officer add clout to the petition opposing early parole for Woest. Thys died in prison in 2008.
Stephen and Morris went one step further, saying they supported the petition.
“I’m incredibly thankful and emotional that they have spoken publicly and share my belief that Woest should never be released,” said Visser, whose “perfect vision of the world and humanity” at 14 was “shattered” by the “evil” massacre.
She even emigrated to try to escape the “unbearable pain” that has haunted her since, particularly after news of Woest’s parole eligibility broke.
“I’ve started to have panic attacks and the most horrendous two nightmares that have me waking up in a cold sweat, gasping for air and unable to fall asleep again.”
Quinton Taylor, who recovered from two gunshots to his head and a slit throat to identify Thys, has also signed the petition.
“I’m signing because I’m the Sizzlers massacre sole survivor and I’m disgusted at learning of this,” he said.
DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said Woest would remain behind bars until he satisfied parole requirements.
In response to queries from Sunday Times Daily, he said: “All necessary processes must be followed, which involves tracing the victims of the crime.
The anxiety of the victims whilst being tortured and assaulted by you is unimaginable. You not only intended to kill, but chose to humiliate them.
— Retired judge Nathan Erasmus
“A decision will then be taken once Adam Woest’s parole profile has been submitted and studied by all relevant structures, including the parole board, the National Council for Correctional Services and the minister of justice and correctional services.”
Visser hopes Erasmus’s sentencing will feature in Woest’s profile. Telling the accused in 2004 that their offences represented “unparalleled savagery”, the judge said: “Rarely does one encounter sheer brutality on this scale. It diminishes us all.
“The offences were well planned, premeditated and displayed extreme callousness and gruesomeness, and were committed with a direct intent. Nine men lost their lives after being systematically tortured over an extended period. Another miraculously survived.
“It had far-reaching consequences, both locally and internationally. The victims’ families and society remain traumatised. The anxiety of the victims whilst being tortured and assaulted by you is unimaginable. You not only intended to kill, but chose to humiliate them.”
Noting that life sentences should mean life, Erasmus proposed his recommendations be considered in any parole process.
“In this case the rehabilitation and preventative elements of sentence should be over-shadowed by the deterrent and retributive elements of sentencing.
“I am of the view that the facts of this case demand the imposition of the harshest sentence a court can impose. I am further of the view that the accused should be removed from society permanently.”
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