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Smithfield GP trial: 'No substantial circumstances for court to deviate'

───   ANDRE GROBLER 15:51 Fri, 09 Dec 2016

Smithfield GP trial: 'No substantial circumstances for court to deviate' | News Article
Dr Cilliers' murderers in court today (André Grobler/OFM News)

Bethulie - Two men have been sentenced to life imprisonment in the Bethulie Circuit Court for the murder of Smithfield GP, Bennie Cilliers.


Acting Judge Liza Tsatsi also sentenced former farm worker of Cilliers, Thabang Jordaan, to 22 years imprisonment on robbery-related charges and 10 years on a charge of attempted murder. 

The second accused in the matter, taxi driver David Zamayo, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on the robbery charges. 

André Grobler reports that Zamayo also got 10 years imprisonment on the attempted murder charge related to Cilliers' wife, Cecilia who survived the attack.
 
Judge Tsatsi told the two men they have killed a man that was at the height of his career and a medical doctor, which is a person with skills South Africa has a dire need of. She said also as a farmer Cilliers had created jobs for many people who are now without income. 

Tsatsi said she could not find any substantial circumstances for the court to deviate from the minimum prescribe sentences for the crimes committed. The Cilliers couple was attacked on their farm near Rouxville in January this year. 

Cilliers did not survive the attack with a heavy iron bar during the robbery.

Speaking after the court proceedings, Cilliers' eldest son, Pieter, told Ofm News that they are relieved the matter is concluded. He said hopefully the family can now get back to some sort of normal life. The younger son expressed the hope that the scars of the incident do not get opened again.

OFM News


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