Illegal miner handed life sentence for killing an EMPD officer in Primrose
13 September 2022
An illegal miner, Bhekisisa Samora Dlamini (38), was sentenced to life plus 103 years imprisonment, by the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg for the murdering of Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officer, Johannes Jacobus Van Der Linde, in June 2021.
Linde and five of his colleagues were searching for illegal miners in the bushes around Primrose when they were shot at by the accused and his illegal miners’ friends. The officers returned fire, but unfortunately, Van Der Linde was fatally shot during the crossfire. Dlamini was apprehended at the scene, whilst his accomplices managed to escape. The accused has been convicted of murder, five counts of attempted murder, possession of a prohibited firearm as well as unlawful possession of ammunition on 02 September 2022.
Senior State Adv. Thamsanqa Mpekana, presented the Victim Impact Statement, detailing the impact the death of the officer had on his family. His wife stated that her family suffered psychological, physical, and mental trauma, because of his untimely death. She went further to mention that, her husband was the breadwinner, and that his death left, not only herself and her children but the deceased’s mother and siblings, financially crippled, as the deceased was their source of provision too.
In persuading the court to determine a suitable sentence, Adv. Mpekana asked the court to consider that the EMPD was one officer less, because of this senseless killing, that crimes perpetrated using unlawful and prohibited firearms were prevalent, as the perpetrators are convinced that they can never be traced and can continue their unlawful ventures undetected.“ The country has been calling for law enforcement authorities’ robustness, in dealing with illegal miners who have placed the country under attack, by committing crimes at dangerously alarming proportions. I, therefore, implore the court, to send an unambiguous message that such criminality will be harshly dealt with by our courts”, he concluded.
Judge Moosa, agreed that the crimes the accused was convicted of, were senseless and merciless. He further stated that the level of the scourge of crimes committed using unlawful firearms, was alarming and that the courts must send a crisp message, by imposing robust sentences against perpetrators that show total disregard for the rule of law.
The NPA commends Warrant Officer Ursula Kelly, from the Hawks in Germiston and Adv Mpekana, for their commitment to ridding society of heartless criminals.
Issued by Phindi Mjonondwane, NPA Regional Spokesperson-Gauteng Local Division, 13 September 2022
