JOHANNESBURG – Victor Mlotshwa is relieved that the coffin assault case is over after the two men who shoved him into a coffin were found guilty on Friday.

Judge Segopotje Mphahlele found Willem Oosthuizen and Theo Jackson guilty of attempted murder, kidnapping, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and intimidation.

She did not find them guilty of being in possession of a firearm.

Bail for the pair was extended until sentencing on 23 October. 

Mlothswa still plans to sue the men for money.

READ: Accused in coffin assault case plead not guilty

Amnesty International said the “hideous” coffin assault case must spur government action on hate crime

In a statement after Mphahlele handed down judgment in the high court in Middelburg, Amnesty’s South Africa executive director Shenilla Mohamed, said: “This hideous case lays bare the discrimination that still runs deep in South African society. 

“The fact that the whole grotesque episode was captured on video and then posted to social media suggests that the perpetrators felt little concern that they would face justice.

“There is no place for racism or discrimination in any society, and this terrible case must spur the government to finalise the hate crimes legislation in order to deal decisively with incidents of discrimination.”

eNCA