Update
KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna Circuit Court Judge Patric Gamble highlighted the plight of the families affected by the murder of Mawande Kondlo, the owner of Wandu's Bed and Breakfast.
The State handed up four victim impact reports written by Cuma Kondlo and the three children.
"The reports were drafted in March 2023 and so the Court does not know what the current position is as far as the psychological harm the family has suffered.
"The Court can only hope that the counselling the family has received has helped in some small way to alleviate the pain and hurt they have all experienced.
"The Court repeats that it was very impressed with Wandu and Umtha when they gave evidence and hopes that they make a success of their school careers and beyond in honour of their late father," Gamble said.
'Heartbreaking to read'
Gamble said the statements by the children "in particular are heartbreaking to read".
"They all adored their father very much and looked up to him with great admiration. He was their role model and confidant. He was a good man and important member of his society who did not deserve to die young and certainly not in such a brutal manner.
"Now they have no one in his place. It is clear that this event has caused the children psychological harm and trauma and the Court can only hope that the consequences thereof do not affect them unduly as they grow older.
"There are truly no winners in a situation such as this. The accused leaves behind a wife and young child who will also have to bear the consequences of his criminal conduct and unfaithfulness of which she has only recently become aware.
'Faith-based people'
"It is the Court's sincere wish that the families, who are all faith-based people, will find it in themselves to perhaps reach out to one another and begin the process of healing.
"Perhaps Mr Bezuidenhout Snr can start that process by putting his heartfelt words in the witness box into deeds?" said Gamble.
READ MORE: Life sentence for murder
Bezuidenhout Snr told the Knysna-Plett Herald after the sentence he "looked up to the Lord".
He said he was sure that his son would stick to an undertaking to assist police further in the matter. "I know him like that".
Asked for forgiveness
In a letter handed into court by Adv Louis Luterek, Bezuidenhout's advocate, he expressed sympathy with Kondlo's family and asked for forgiveness.
"He maintains that he still fears for his life for having spoken out at last. Perhaps the Kondlo family would have preferred to hear those words directly from the accused in the witness box where he could be cross-examined but he rather chose to do so from the dock as is his right.
"I will accept that there has been a measure of remorse expressed by the accused," said Gamble.
At the end of the day, shortly before being escorted to the court cells to start his life sentence, Bezuidenthout turned to the gallery and for the first time apologised personally for the harm he had done, especially to the grieving Kondlo family.
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