Jaco (Japie) Claasens, in court this week. (Photo: Provided)
The murder trial of Jaco (Japie) Claasens began this week in the Circuit High Court in Springbok in the Northern Cape.
The 61-year-old man is facing two charges of murder and the illegal possession of more than 200 cartridges, contrary to the provisions of the Firearms Control Act.
The charges follow after he shot dead Coenie de Beer, a lawyer from Knysna, and James Kriel, a businessman and protea farmer from the Overberg, on 31 October 2023 on his farm near Vioolsdrift in the early hours of the morning.
Mojalefa Senokoatsane, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), says the state claims that the victims were believed to be friends with Claasens and they spent the night at his residence with other companions while traveling to a holiday destination.
De Beer and Kriel both died of their injuries on 1 November that year in the Mediclinic hospital in Upington.
“De Beer’s cause of death was recorded as gunshot wounds to the abdomen resulting in blood loss, hypovolemic shock and multiple organ failure. Kriel was shot in the abdomen resulting in multiple necrosis, fasciitis and sepsis.”
The state further claims that the murders were planned.
During investigations by members of the police, 247 Beretta shotgun cartridges were allegedly found at Claasens’ residence. He also handed himself over to the police shortly after the incident.
“Claasens was licensed to own the firearm linked to the ammunition. He previously pleaded not guilty to the two counts of murder, but pleaded guilty to the third count relating to the possession of more than 200 cartridges.”
This week the state has already called its first witness, who is the son of one of the victims and was also present on the farm at the time of the incident.
The proceedings continue.