Update
GEORGE NEWS - “You are a dangerous man with no emotion, no conscience.”
These were the words of Magistrate Emma Moloro earlier today in the Thembalethu Regional Court when she handed down judgement to Bonginkosi Ndevu (31) for the Janneké Bergman shooting in 2020.
She sentenced him to 40 years' imprisonment.
Ndevu, who shot provincial traffic officer Bergman near Pacaltsdorp on 7 August 2020, was found guilty on all seven charges against him - two of attempted murder, possession of illegal firearms, possession of illegal ammunition and pointing of a firearm.
Moloro said the court did not find any substantial and compelling reasons to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentences.
Ndevu was sentenced to five years each on the attempted murder charges (charge 1 and 3). Charge 3 relates to Ndevu shooting at a police officer.
On charge 2, aggravated robbery, he was sentenced to 15 years and on charges 4, 5, 6 and 7 - possession of illegal firearms, possession of illegal ammunition and pointing of a firearm - also 15 years.
An emotional Bergman who was present during judgement and sentencing, said she is pleased with the sentence and relieved that it is over. “I am happy and relieved, just so relieved that it is done,” she said.
Her parents and several colleagues were there to support her.
Hanki Marx acted for the state.
What happened on 7 August 2020
Bergman was shot when she assisted two of her colleagues during an arrest after they pulled over a silver Audi A4 in Beach Road, on the bridge near Stanmar Motors.
While officers were handcuffing Ndevu, a fight ensued during which he pulled out a firearm and shot Bergman in the knee and left cheek.
He fled the scene on foot with the handcuffs still around one wrist.
The bullet that hit Bergman's cheek exited through her neck, just above her shoulder.
Ndevu, from Khayelitsha in Cape Town, was arrested shortly afterwards when he was spotted walking along the highway. He allegedly opened fire on the two police officers who chased after him. The officers returned fire, wounding him twice.
Two firearms, one of which was Bergman's service pistol, and an undisclosed amount of cash were found in his possession.
Read the full article in the George Herald on Wednesday 14 June.
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