'Waterkloof 4' appeal granted
2007-01-30 12:07
Pretoria - The "Waterkloof Four" were on Tuesday granted leave to appeal shortly after they were sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for the murder of an unidentified man and two months for the assault of another.
Christoff Bekker, Frikkie du Preez, Gert van Schalkwyk and Reinach Tiedt looked visibly relieved when Magistrate Len Kotze said that it would be only "fair" for them to exhaust all legal avenues.
Their parents and friends who packed the courtroom also gave an audible sigh of relief.
Their bail has also been extended, meaning that they would not go to prison pending the outcome of their appeal.
"We are very happy that the Four's bail has been extended pending the outcome of the appeal," their lawyer Oelaff de Meyer said.
Afterwards the relieved parents shook hands with the "Four's" legal representatives but would not comment.
- SAPA