Waterkloof 4 get bail

2005-06-14 19:06

Tisha Steyn and Sapa

Pretoria - The defence lawyer in the case of the so-called Waterkloof Four, Oeloff de Meyer, says he was shocked when the young men were convicted.

Christoff Becker, 19, Frikkie du Preez, Gert van Schalkwyk and Reinach Tiedt (all 18) were found guilty in the Pretoria regional court of the murder of one man and the assault of another in december 2001.

They were 16 at the time.

De Meyer told News24 that they hadn't expected a conviction in the light of the evidence presented.

He added that they would appeal against the conviction.

The case was referred to the Pretoria High Court for sentencing on November 18.

They are out on bail of R10 000 each, De Meyer said.

Granting bail, magistrate Len Kotze said he did so with hesitation because "this was an inter-racial incident which had emotions running high in the local community and elsewhere".

But he had to take into account that sentencing might be long delayed.

The penalty had to be determined by the Pretoria High Court as the murder conviction carried a minimum life sentence.

As part of their bail conditions, the four were not allowed to visit any nightclub, hotel or "other places of entertainment".

The State had asked for bail to be refused due to the gravity of the crimes.

Kotze accepted the evidence of three State witnesses, former friends of the four who were present during the assaults.

He dismissed Becker's evidence as lies, remarking on his "astounding arrogance".

He described the four's actions as so inherently dangerous "that even the most stupid man would foresee (the victim's) death".

"The conclusion can be made that they wanted to kill him."

The four did not show much emotion as the verdict was handed down. Their parents declined to speak to the media.

- News24