Daughters proud of killer dad
2010-09-08 23:09
Pretoria - A dentist serving a life sentence for having his wife brutally murdered, on Wednesday became the first inmate in South Africa to obtain a doctorate.
Casper Greeff, 63, from Kempton Park, obtained the degree in Biblical Archaeology through Unisa.
He was the only inmate to receive a doctorate at the department of correctional services' (DCS) graduation ceremony at the Pretoria Central Prison.
Six other inmates also obtained degrees - one of them in law (LLB). The rest of the inmates received certificates and diplomas in subjects ranging from electrical and mechanical engineering and marketing management to human resource management.
Greeff's sister, Maré Mongiat, and his daughters Romi, 19, and Brittani Greeff, 21, and Tanya Jardine, 39, cried when the hundreds of inmates, family and friends and members of the DCS gave him a standing ovation.
"We're very proud of my dad and we are not ashamed of him," Brittani said through her tears.
Floyed Chingonzo, a convicted rapist who obtained a diploma in welding with three distinctions, as well as a certificate in marketing, said he had come to his senses about what he had done.
He has spent the past 12 years behind bars and will be released in November this year.
"I gave my life to Jesus and I'm ready to move forward. I've already received job offers," Chingonzo said proudly.
Dina Mogano, a senior lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, told the inmates: "I salute you. Through your achievements, you have proven that they outweigh your mistakes. You're the best."
Mogano thanked the inmates' family and friends for supporting the inmates, as well as the DCS and government for giving the inmates an opportunity to study.
"(Former president Nelson) Mandela also obtained most of his university qualifications while he was in prison. I don't doubt that the community will welcome you back, because they will realise that you have a valuable contribution to make," she said.
Greeff was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife, Estelle, in November 1999.
The court at the time found that Elliot Masango, one of Greeff's workers who was also given a life sentence, was promised money to commit the murder.
Another accomplice, Christopher Njeje, who helped Masango to "saw through" Estelle Greeff's throat with a blunt knife in a veld near Cullinan, is also serving life in prison.