Mpumalanga High Court Convicts Farmer, Stepson and Six Workers for Double Murder, Guilty Verdict in Sifiso Thwala and Musa Nene Farm Killings — Sentencing in April 2026
Mpumalanga-In a landmark ruling that brings some closure to grieving families after a five-year wait, the Mpumalanga High Court in Middelburg has found farm owner Werner Potgieter, his stepson Cornelius Greyling, and six farm workers guilty of the brutal 2020 murders of Sifiso Thwala and Musa Nene at Pampoenkraal Farm near Mkhondo.
The verdict, delivered on 11 December 2025, also includes convictions for the attempted murder of Sthembiso Thwala, who survived the attack by pretending to be dead. Sentencing is scheduled for April 2026, giving the court time to consider the full impact of this tragic case that has highlighted issues of farm violence and community tensions in rural South Africa.
This decision marks the end of a long trial filled with emotional testimonies and evidence of severe assault, including beatings with sjamboks and electrocution with a cattle prod. For the families of the victims, it is a step towards justice, though the pain of losing loved ones in such a cruel way remains fresh. As South Africa grapples with ongoing farm-related conflicts, this case serves as a reminder of the need for peaceful ways to handle disputes and suspicions.
The Night f Horror: What Happened on 9 August 2020
The tragedy unfolded on the evening of 9 August 2020, when Sifiso Joseph Thwala, aged 39, his brother Christopher Sthembiso Thwala, aged 32, and their cousin Musa France Nene, aged 34, were driving a Toyota sedan to Driefontein in Mpumalanga.
They were on their way to deliver groceries and money to Sthembiso’s mother, who had recently taken in his children.About 10 kilometres from their destination, their car got stuck on a public road near several farms, including Pampoenkraal (also known as Bampoen Farm), where cattle theft had been a growing concern.
Security guards patrolling the area approached the men, suspecting them of stock theft.What started as a simple check quickly turned violent. The three were handcuffed with cable ties, assaulted on the spot, and forced into the boot of a car.They were then driven to Pampoenkraal Farm, where the attacks continued.
Sifiso and Musa were kicked repeatedly in the head, lashed with sjamboks, hit with stones, and electrocuted using a cattle prod until they died.Sthembiso, badly hurt, lay still next to their bodies, pretending to be dead to survive.His quick thinking saved his life, and he later became a key witness in the trial.
Musa Nene was remembered by his family as a loving father to his two children and a devoted husband.Sifiso Thwala was a caring brother whose death left a deep void. The families described the men as ordinary people going about their day, not criminals, and the attack as a senseless overreaction to a misunderstanding.
The Accused: From Arrest to Conviction
The eight men convicted include farm owner Werner Potgieter, his stepson Cornelius Greyling, and farm workers Zenzele Yende, Sikhumbuzo Zikalala, Mzwakhe Dlamini, Nkosinathi Msibi, Sifiso Mdluli, and Simon Mthombeni.They were arrested in June 2021 after a police investigation linked them to the crimes.Charges included two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, and kidnapping.
This was not the first time some of the accused faced murder charges. Potgieter, Greyling, and Yende had been arrested earlier in April 2021 for the shooting deaths of brothers Zenzele and Mgcini Coka at the same farm.The Coka brothers were killed during a confrontation where farm dwellers, armed with sticks and pipes, demanded jobs.
They were out on R10,000 bail for that case when arrested for the Thwala and Nene murders.That earlier incident involved gunfire, leaving the brothers dead and raising alarms about vigilante actions on farms.
In the Thwala and Nene case, the accused pleaded not guilty, claiming self-defence or denial of involvement.Bail was denied in June 2021 by the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court, which found the state had a strong case but not enough proof of premeditation to classify it as a schedule 6 offence.An appeal for bail was also rejected.
The Trial: Key Testimonies and Challenges
The trial moved to the Mpumalanga High Court in Middelburg and began in earnest in July 2025.It featured graphic details from witnesses, including Sthembiso Thwala, who recounted the ordeal.Postmortem reports described the victims’ injuries as severe, from beatings and electrocution.
The defence questioned witness credibility, arguing some statements were unreliable.However, the court found the evidence overwhelming, leading to the guilty verdicts on all charges.
The case dragged on for years, causing frustration for the families.Nomalanga Thwala, Sifiso’s sister, spoke of mixed emotions when arrests finally happened, noting it took another double murder for action in their case.
Thandi Thwala added that their elderly parents suffered daily, fearing the killers would walk free.The delays included multiple court appearances and bail hearings, testing everyone’s patience.
Broader Context: Farm Violence and Calls for Calm
This incident spotlighted rising tensions in rural Mpumalanga, where stock theft suspicions often lead to clashes.Police urged farmers not to take the law into their own hands, pleading for them to report issues instead of assaulting suspects. Pampoenkraal Farm became a focal point after four deaths in less than a year, including the Coka brothers.
Groups like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) attended court sessions, calling the accused “racist Afrikaners” and demanding justice.The case raised broader issues of race, land, and vigilante justice in farming communities, where misunderstandings can turn deadly.
Looking Ahead: Sentencing and Lasting Impact
Sentencing is set for April 2026, allowing time for victim impact statements and mitigation arguments.The court may consider life terms given the brutality, but factors like remorse or first-time offences could play a role. Families hope for harsh penalties to deter similar acts.
For the Thwala and Nene relatives, the verdict brings relief but not full healing. “We were starting to give up,” one family member said, highlighting how such cases can fade away without strong prosecution.This outcome could encourage better police responses and community dialogues to prevent future tragedies.
As South Africa reflects on this case, it underscores the importance of fairness and humanity in resolving conflicts, ensuring no one takes justice into their own hands. The nation awaits the final chapter in April 2026.
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