Tag Archives: Abraham Hercules Engelbrecht (61)

Two apartheid police found guilty of the murder of Caiphus Nyoka

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Picture: Sergeant, Abraham Hercules Engelbrecht and former Sergeant, Pieter Stander/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

8 December 2025- The Pretoria High Court sitting in Johannesburg High Court has found a former Sergeant, Abraham Hercules Engelbrecht (61), and former Sergeant, Pieter Stander (60), guilty of the premeditated murder of Caiphus Nyoka, a student activist and a member of the Congress of South African Students (COSAS). A former commanding officer, Major Leon Louis Van Den Berg (75) was acquitted on the charges. 

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said in the evening of 23 August 1987, the two who were members of the Reaction Unit within the South African Police Service (SAP) met to discuss a plan to kill Nyoka. Mahanjana said a plan to raid his home was devised. 

“In the early hours of 24 August 1987 at about 2:30am, Stander and Engelbrecht and other members of the Reaction Unit who are also charged separately, arrived at Nyoka’s homestead and stormed his room. They found him sleeping with three of his friends. After identifying him, they removed the friends from the room and thereafter proceeded to shoot him 9 times. He died on the scene as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. 

“During the trial, the state called 5 witnesses, Caiphus Nyoka’s two sisters, Alegria and Mothasi Nyoka, Gugulakhe Exodus Nyokane (one of the three friends Nyoka was with on the night of the incident), an expert witness who was the TRC researcher Dr Rousseau and the Investigating officer of the case, Liutenant Colonel Beukman,” she said.  

Mahanjana further said after the five witnesses testified, the state closed its case. She added that thereafter accused 1, who is now acquitted, and accused 2, brought a Section 174 application claiming that the state had no case. 

“After the court dismissed their application, all the accused closed their case. When handing down the judgment the court found that the state was able to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt in respect of Engelbrecht and Stander.

“The NPA welcomes the judgment where the two were found guilty.  However, the state will study the judgment in respect of the acquittal of Louis Van Den Berg. This court outcome is encouraging as this is a right step towards providing justice for the Nyoka family,” said Mahanjana.

She said the matter was postponed to 11 December 2025, for the bail application, pending sentence of Engelbrecht and Stander.  Mahanjana said the two are remanded in custody. 

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Court dismisses Section 174 application in the Caiphus Nyoka TRC case

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By REGINALD KANYANE

26 May 2025- The Pretoria High Court sitting in Benoni dismissed the Section 174 application of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 brought about by accused number 1, a former Commanding Officer, Major Leon Louis Van Den Berg (75) and accused number 2, a former Sergeant, Abraham Hercules Engelbrecht (61), that the two accused should be discharged of their offences because the state had no case against them.

The two, together with their co-accused, former Sergeant, Pieter Stander (60) are facing a charge of murder for allegedly killing a student activist and a member of the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) Caiphus Nyoka.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said it is alleged that in the evening of 23 August 1987, the three who were members of the Reaction Unit within the South African Police Service, met to discuss a plan to kill Nyoka. Mahanjana said a plan to raid his home was devised, under the Commanding Officer, Major van den Berg.

“In the early hours of 24 August 1987 at about 02h30, Stander and Engelbrecht and other members of the Reaction Unit, who are also charged separately, arrived at Nyoka’s homestead and stormed Nyoka’s room. They found him sleeping with three of his friends.

“After identifying him, they removed the friends from the room and thereafter proceeded to shoot him 9 times. He died on the scene as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. During the trial, the state called five witnesses.

“Two of Caiphus Nyoka’ sisters, Alegria and Mothasi Nyoka, Gugulakhe Exodus Nyokane, one of the three friends Nyoka was with on the night of the incident, an expert witness who was the TRC researcher DR Rousseau and the Investigating officer of the case Lieutenant Colonel Beukman,” she said.

Mahanjana further said after the five witnesses testified, the state closed its case. She added that thereafter, accused no 1and 2, brought a Section 174 application claiming that the state had no case.

“After the court dismissed their application, accused number 1 opted to remain silent and closed his case. The matter was postponed to 8-19 September 2025, for defence case of accused number 2 and 3.

“The case against the former Section member of the Reaction Unit 6 in Dunnottar, Johan Marais (65) who was charged and convicted for the same offence, was postponed to 5& 6 June 2025 for sentencing proceedings,” said Mahanjana.

She said the court outcome is encouraging as the state overcomes the first hurdle that was presented by the defense in order to prevent the trial from proceeding. Mahanjana said the state will continue to put forward a formidable case to ensure that justice is served against such atrocities of the apartheid era.

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