Key Points
- Emmanuel Chidi Okafor received a life sentence for the premeditated murder of Constable Stefano Nico Visagie.
- Okafor also received a 10-year sentence for attempted murder and housebreaking with intent to murder.
- The NPA emphasized the importance of holding violent offenders, particularly those who target law enforcement, accountable.
Emmanuel Chidi Okafor, a 36-year-old Nigerian, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the premeditated murder of Constable Stefano Nico Visagie.
The High Court of South Africa, Northern Cape Division, handed down the sentence in Upington. Okafor was also convicted of attempted murder, housebreaking with intent to murder, and other charges.
Attack leads to Okafor’s conviction
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the ruling, calling it a strong statement against violent crimes, especially those targeting law enforcement officers.
NPA regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane emphasized the importance of upholding the value of human life and deterring potential offenders.
The conviction stems from a violent attack in Lennertsville, Keimoes, on January 8, 2020. Okafor, involved in an ongoing dispute with his neighbor, Rhyno van Wyk, allegedly plotted revenge after hearing voices from a gathering at Van Wyk’s house.
Okafor had been using methamphetamine and had expressed his intent to kill Van Wyk and his guests. At around 4 a.m., Okafor broke into the house armed with a knife.
He stabbed Visagie twice in the chest while Visagie slept. He then attacked Van Wyk, stabbing him in the thigh. Van Wyk managed to deflect a fatal blow, and other occupants intervened, forcing Okafor to flee.
Arrest and court appearance
Okafor fled to Rustenburg, North West Province. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) tracked him down in a successful intelligence-driven operation. Authorities recovered the murder weapon after it fell from Okafor’s trousers during transport.
Throughout the trial, Okafor attempted to delay proceedings. He changed his legal representation three times and filed multiple requests for postponements, all of which the State opposed.
The court found Okafor had premeditated the attack, making the murder even more heinous.
Victim impact and final sentence
Prosecutor Jaques Rosenberg presented victim impact statements, including testimonies from Visagie’s family, describing the devastating emotional toll.
The NPA praised the work of the prosecution team and SAPS investigators.
In addition to his life sentence for premeditated murder, Okafor received 10 years for attempted murder. This ensures that he will remain in prison for an extended period.
