This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-41052626

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
South Africa coffin case: White farmers convicted South Africa coffin case: White farmers convicted
(about 1 hour later)
Two white South African farmers who forced a black man into a coffin have been convicted of attempted murder and kidnapping.Two white South African farmers who forced a black man into a coffin have been convicted of attempted murder and kidnapping.
Victor Mlotshwa, 27, was beaten and made him get into the coffin by Theo Martins Jackson and Willem Oosthuizen in August 2016. Victor Mlotshwa, 27, was beaten and made to get into the coffin by Theo Martins Jackson and Willem Oosthuizen in August 2016.
The pair will be sentenced on 23 October. They had denied the charges.The pair will be sentenced on 23 October. They had denied the charges.
The case has caused outrage in South Africa and highlighted racial tensions in some farming communities.The case has caused outrage in South Africa and highlighted racial tensions in some farming communities.
Africa Live: More on this and other storiesAfrica Live: More on this and other stories
Mr Mlotshwa only reported the matter after footage of the assault emerged on YouTube months later.Mr Mlotshwa only reported the matter after footage of the assault emerged on YouTube months later.
His attackers threatened to douse him in petrol and burn him alive.His attackers threatened to douse him in petrol and burn him alive.
In a court affidavit, Jackson and Oosthuizen said they did not mean to harm Mr Mlotshwa but merely wanted to "teach him a lesson".In a court affidavit, Jackson and Oosthuizen said they did not mean to harm Mr Mlotshwa but merely wanted to "teach him a lesson".
They claimed that Mr Mlotshwa had been trespassing on their land.They claimed that Mr Mlotshwa had been trespassing on their land.
He denied this, saying he was taking a short cut to the shops, where he had been sent by his mother.He denied this, saying he was taking a short cut to the shops, where he had been sent by his mother.
As Judge Segopotje Mphahlele read out the guilty verdict in Middelburg Magistrates Court on Friday, supporters of the victim burst into songs of celebration.As Judge Segopotje Mphahlele read out the guilty verdict in Middelburg Magistrates Court on Friday, supporters of the victim burst into songs of celebration.
"I'm relieved that justice has been served," Mr Mlotshwa told the BBC."I'm relieved that justice has been served," Mr Mlotshwa told the BBC.
Judge Mphahlele told the court she was satisfied that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, and that it was clear that the convicted men intended to kill the victim.Judge Mphahlele told the court she was satisfied that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, and that it was clear that the convicted men intended to kill the victim.
The prosecutor has asked the court to revoke their bail for security reasons.The prosecutor has asked the court to revoke their bail for security reasons.