KEY POINTS
- Two officers were sentenced for attempted murder after a high-speed chase.
- They fired at a suspect’s car and later assaulted him.
- SAPS says justice must apply to all, including police officers.
Following a high-speed chase in 2020, the eMalahleni Regional Court condemned two police officers to jail for attempted murder and violence.
Sentenced for attempted murder
The court sentenced former officer Stefaans Breytenbach, 42, and Sergeant Louise Venter, 43, to five years in prison for attempted murder.
In addition, the cops were sentenced to 18 months in prison without the possibility of a punishment for assault with intent to cause serious bodily damage.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, a police spokeswoman, the officers tried to pull over a car at a checkpoint on the N4 highway.
On May 11, 2020, the vehicle allegedly refused to stop close to Balmoral, so the authorities pursued him at high speed.
Police officers fired at fleeing car during roadblock operation
The officers reportedly shot at the escaping car many times before bringing it to a complete stop.
According to Iol, both policemen are accused of physically assaulting the driver at the scene of the stop after dragging him out after the vehicle came to a stop.
Later that same day, Vosman Police Station initiated an immediate internal and criminal inquiry after opening a criminal case against the officers.
After the incident, investigators charged both policemen with assault with intent to cause serious bodily harm and attempted murder.
The accused were taken into custody, charged, and released on bail pending trial and a final ruling at the regional court.
The court rejected both officers’ appeals for reconsideration and declared them ineligible to own guns on May 22, 2025.
After joined SAPS in 2017, Sergeant Breytenbach served for five years before resigning from the police force in November 2022.
Major General (Dr.) Zeph Mkhwanazi, the acting provincial commissioner, praised the court’s ruling and reaffirmed SAPS’ dedication to justice and openness.
Mkhwanazi underlined that everyone must be held equally accountable and that even law enforcement officials are subject to the law.
