Waterkloof killers behind bars
2008-08-11 23:16
Hilda Fourie, Philip de Bruin, Fanie van Rooyen
Pretoria - Wearing a blue No Fear T-shirt. That's how 22-year-old Gert van Schalkwyk, one of the Waterkloof Four killers, reported to the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Monday to start serving his 12-year sentence.
With him were 23-year-old Frikkie du Preez and Reinach Tiedt, 22.
The other member of the Waterkloof Four, Christoff Becker, was expected to report for his stint behind bars on Tuesday.
They were sentenced to 12 years in prison in January last year for murdering an unknown man and assaulting another in a park in 2001, when they were still at school.
Appeal turned down
All four maintained their innocence throughout their lengthy trial and the unsuccessful High Court appeal that followed.
The Supreme Court of Appeal last week also turned down their appeal against their convictions and sentences.
Becker applied unsuccessfully on Monday for an extension of his bail, with his lawyer saying he intended challenging the matter in the Constitutional Court.
When Van Schalkwyk, Du Preez and Tiedt reported at about 15:15 to do their time, warrants of arrest had been issued for all four.
They were supposed to have reported at court at 09:00. Becker's bail of R10 000 had been forfeited.
'Wasted time and money'
Du Preez, Van Schalkwyk and Tiedt, wearing tracksuits and carrying backpacks, made no comments as they walked out of the Magistrate's Court to be taken to Pretoria Central prison.
They got into a police car and with a wail of sirens were driven away to prison.
The three had already said their goodbyes to loved ones.
State prosecutor André Fourie said during Becker's application that the Waterkloof Four had reached the end of the road.
"I think they've wasted a lot of time and money. Had they admitted guilt from the word go, they probably would have been out of prison by now." - Beeld/Sapa