Life imprisonment for Nigerian man convicted of murdering off-duty Nothern Cape police officer

A Nigerian national, Emmanuel Chidi Okafor, 36, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the premeditated murder of off-duty police Constable Stefano Nico Visagie.

The High Court of South Africa, Northern Cape Division, handed down the sentence in Upington, also convicting Okafor of attempted murder, housebreaking with intent to murder, and other charges.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the ruling, calling it a strong statement against violent crimes, particularly those targeting law enforcement officers.

“The value of human life cannot be overstated, and the NPA remains relentless in its pursuit of justice to deter would-be murderers and uphold the rule of law,” said NPA regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane.

The conviction stems from a violent attack in Lennertsville, Keimoes, in the early hours of January 8, 2020. Okafor, who had an ongoing dispute with his neighbor Rhyno van Wyk, allegedly plotted revenge after hearing voices from a gathering at Van Wyk’s house.

Witness testimony revealed that Okafor had been using tik (methamphetamine) and had expressed his intent to kill Van Wyk and the guests at the house.

At around 4am, after the occupants had gone to sleep, Okafor broke into the house through an unlocked door, armed with a dagger-like knife. He stabbed Visagie twice in the chest, piercing his heart and lung, while he slept on the floor.

He then attacked Van Wyk, stabbing him in the upper thigh and attempting to strike him in the chest. Van Wyk managed to deflect the fatal blow, and a struggle ensued until other occupants intervened, with one striking Okafor with a spade, forcing him to flee.

Okafor fled Lennertsville and was later tracked down in Rustenburg, North West Province in an intelligence-driven operation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI).

The murder weapon was recovered after it fell from Okafor’s trousers while he was being transported.

“Throughout the trial, Okafor attempted to delay proceedings, changing legal representatives three times, and filing multiple unwarranted postponement requests, which the State strongly opposed,” said Senokoatsane.

The court found that Okafor had premeditated the attack, making the murder even more heinous.

Senior State advocate Jaques Rosenberg, who led the prosecution, presented four victim impact statements including testimony from Visagie’s mother, sister, and the mother of his child, describing the devastating emotional and psychological toll of his murder.

The NPA commended the dedication of the prosecution team and SAPS investigators.

“The NPA welcomes this sentence, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that violent offenders, particularly those who target law enforcement officers, face the full force of the law,” said Senokoatsane.

Okafor’s life sentence for premeditated murder was accompanied by 10 years for attempted murder, ensuring that he will remain behind bars.

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