Convicted killer is a ‘hero’

Cape Town - Social Justice Coalition (SJC) leader Angy Peter, convicted of murder, was a hero in her community and does not deserve to be sent to jail for life, her lawyer told the Western Cape High Court.

This was among arguments heard in court on Wednesday, where sentencing proceedings are under way in the case of Peter, her husband Isaac Mbadu, Christopher Dina and Azola Dayimani.

The four were previously found guilty for the kidnapping and murder of Rowan du Preez.

Du Preez was found in October 2012 by Mfuleni police after he had been necklaced.

He died in hospital later that month. He had been suspected of stealing Peter and Mbadu’s television two months earlier.

At the time of Du Preez’s murder, Peter was one of the leaders of the SJC and involved in the establishment of the Khayelitsha Commission of Inquiry into policing.

During his judgment on November 4, Judge Robert Henney ruled out Peter’s version that there was a possibility of a conspiracy against her by the police.

Judge Henney said Peter had been an argumentative witness, and described her as a person who was full of self-importance.

But during arguments on Wednesday, William King, SC, asked that the court ignore the fact Peter “blew her own trumpet” and it should focus instead on the fact that she told the truth, because she was “that kind of person”.

He said she was a hero who stood out from the herd.

“She does not deserve to be sent to jail for life,” King said.

King said that the chances of the four committing another crime was “slim to non-existent”.

Regarding Du Preez, King said he was a known gangster who belonged to one of the most notorious gangs – the Hard Livings.

“We have a victim who at the age of 22 had committed five serious offences across the board,” he said, adding that Du Preez needed rehabilitation and Peter and her husband went out of their way to make him a better person.

The State is calling for imprisonment while the defence is asking that the court not impose the prescribed minimum sentence which is life imprisonment.

King asked that the court consider the impact on Peter’s children – the fact that both the parents are in custody.

A friend and neighbour to Peter and Mbadu, Nolubabalo Mazongolo, has been looking after their four children since their incarceration. She told the court she considered Peter a sister. She said the children were isolating themselves and spent a lot of time indoors.

King asked her what the children needed most, to which Mazongolo replied: “The love of their mother and father.”

The matter is set to continue on Thursday.

natasha.prince@inl.co.za

Cape Argus