Ex-Clover employees guilty of double murder of security officers during strike

The Johannesburg High Court has convicted former Clover employees Mohale Shokane and Vusumuzi Duumba of the brutal murder of security officers Terence Tegg and JJ Cassanga. AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit, which represents Tegg’s fiancé Michelle Bebbington and the Cassanga family, worked closely with the police and prosecutor to gather evidence, compile the docket and present the case to court.

On 17 February 2022, a violent mob of striking Clover employees unleashed a savage attack on several guards outside the dairy producer’s facility in Olifantsfontein. While Tegg died on the day, Cassanga passed away in June that year as a result of complications from the injuries he sustained.

Judge Mathunzi rejected the evidence of the accused, describing their versions of events as a “thumb suck and an afterthought”. The court found the accused were part of the group that acted in common purpose when it attacked the security officers, and that their intention was to murder Tegg and Cassanga. Mathunzi found the state’s evidence to be credible and reliable, which included the forensic analysis of the surveillance footage that AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit commissioned.

Distressing video footage shows how the mob of striking unionists ambushed and overwhelmed Tegg, punched and kicked him to the floor before using rocks and others items to smash his head. The attackers then robbed Tegg of his wallet, shotgun and ammunition. Cassanga was chased and overwhelmed, and his head smashed and beaten with his own shotgun.

Barry Bateman, spokesperson for the unit, says the conviction has demonstrated how close work between the state and the unit can ensure justice for victims of crime. “AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit’s involvement followed a plea for assistance from the SAPS. The unit’s seasoned detective ensured critical evidence was gathered and analysed, and affidavits implicating the accused in the murder were properly drafted and included in the case docket. Our members attended almost every court appearance from day one until the conclusion of the trial in order to monitor the progress of the case and to ensure the matter was brought to finality,” he said.

The unit commissioned the video expert, consulted extensively during the analysis of the evidence, and guided the expert when preparing the evidence for court. This evidence included surveillance footage as well as video recorded on cell phones. Using clothing and other identifying markers, the expert tracked each individual’s movement on the day and how they were involved in the murders.

Bateman thanked police investigator, Captain Robert Seckle and prosecutor, Advocate Matthews Rampyapedi for their commitment to ensuring justice was served.

The conviction came as a relief for Bebbington. “I am very happy that we got to this point because it’s been a rollercoaster of a ride and I didn’t ever think that we would get to a point where we would get any convictions. So I’m very, very happy with the convictions and I have a big thank you to say to Gerrie Nel and his team and AfriForum. They’ve been absolutely fantastic. We would never have got through the first day of court if it wasn’t for them. They’ve been instrumental in helping with the case and helping me. They’ve been beside me every step of the way, which has been a great help,” she said.

The case was postponed to Wednesday, 16 October, for sentencing. Shokane and Duumba face life in prison.