Maselspoort Resort attacker guilty of attempted murder fined R20 000

A second man accused of being involved in a racial incident that took place at the Maselspoort Resort on 25 December 2022 has been sentenced to a fine of R20 000 or 2 years direct imprisonment. 

The man was found guilty of attempted murder by the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court. 

In a video that was widely circulated on social media platforms, two black teens were assaulted by white men for swimming in a “reserved for whites only” pool.

MASELSPOORT RESORT ATTACKER SENTENCED 

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said Jakobus Klaasen, was further handed a sentence of five years, wholly suspended for a period of five years, on condition that he is not found guilty of assault, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm or attempted murder during the period of suspension.

Phaladi said the Magistrate Rasheed Matthews sentenced Klaasen to a further 36 months correctional supervision after he convicted him of assault.

WATCH: Black teens assaulted for swimming in a pool reserved for whites

“Klaasen, together with Stephanus van der Westhuizen (47) and Johan Nel (47), were seen on video footage trying to prevent teenage boys from entering the pool area at Maselspoort Resort. They told the boys that the pool was reserved for white people only. Klaasen was charged with attempted murder after he was seen on the video trying to drown one of the boys,” he said. 

ATTACKER PLEADS GUILTY 

Van der Westhuizen pleaded guilty to a charge of common assault in May, and he was sentenced to a fine of R4 000 or 12 months imprisonment. 

He also apologised to the two boys and their father, who accepted his apology. He also apologised to the South African public.

The case against the third accused, Johan Nel, was postponed to 6 December 2023 for trial.

ALSO READ:  EFF visits Maselspoort Resort following alleged racist attack

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