There were tears of joy and relief outside the Western Cape High Court on Wednesday after the two men accused of murdering Zarah-Jane Hector were found guilty.
The 33-year-old woman’s family said justice had finally been served for the mom of two, who was bludgeoned to death with a hammer in March 2016.
She had been missing for 10 days before her decomposing body was found dumped on a farm.
RELIEVED: Brother Brendan Hector leaves the High Court
Renaldo van Rooyen, from Sarepta, and Tawfeeq Ebrahim from Tuscany Glen, who were friends of Zarah, were found guilty of murdering her in Van Rooyen’s garage.
The pair pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and robbery aggravated after they stole and tried to sell the BMW Z3 Zarah was driving at the time for R400.
The car, which was found abandoned and stripped in Salt River two days after her disappearance, belonged to her now deceased boyfriend Mark Kleinschmidt.
It had been alleged Zarah owed Van Rooyen drug money.
Zarah was last seen alive by Van Rooyen’s mother on the morning of 15 March 2016 in her kitchen.
SILENT: Accused no. 1 Renaldo van Rooyen of Sarepta
She was reported missing when she didn’t return home, and her body was found 10 days later on a farm in Klein Drakenstein, wrapped in black plastic.
Judge Lister Nuku said the State had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“The accused were the last to be seen in the company of the deceased. The deceased’s body was found in the bushes,” said Judge Nuku.
“She had suffered severe fatal blows to the head from what was said to be a small hammer.
“Their conduct after [the body was concealed] says they were acting together.
“After the disappearance of the deceased, they tried to sell the car and the concealment appears to be deliberate. I am satisfied that both accused are found guilty on both counts.”
As Nuku laid out his verdict, the court went deathly silent.
While Van Rooyen’s face was expressionless, Ebrahim appeared to be close to tears.
In a surprise twist, State Prosecutor Maria Marshall revealed Van Rooyen had had a previous conviction.
“I have just received this and would like to bring this forward to the court to consider during sentencing, accused one (Van Rooyen) has a previous conviction of robbery in July 2017,” she said.
MANG: Accused no. 2 Tawfeeq Ebrahim, of Tuscany Glen, guilty
“He was sentenced to a four-year sentence, but the sentence was suspended for five years.
“He is also unfit to possess a firearm. Accused two has no prior convictions.”
Outside court, there were emotional scenes as Zarah’s family hugged each other.
Her sister, Vivi-Anne Pretorius, said: “It’s an emotional feeling and justice has come through for us.”
Her aunt, Melanie Colli, added: “We are happy. Justice has been served. The last cherry on top would be the sentencing, which should be the heaviest possible. We have closure now.”
The matter has been postponed to 7 May for sentencing proceedings.