VIDEO: Justice for Zelda: 'Wolves' sent to jail
|Published
Two men who robbed and shot biker Zelda Van Niekerk will spend the next 25 years in the mang after receiving harsh sentences at the Western Cape High Court today.
Michael Pietersen and Lucien Ackerman from Kensington were described as “wolves on the prowl” who used the mother “as an object” to feed their drug habit.
The 45-year-old was shot on the N1 Highway on 28 September 2018 while waiting for a fellow biker, as they prepared to escort a boy to his matric ball later that day.
Murdered: Zelda Van Niekerk
Within hours, Ackerman was arrested by the Metro Police’s Gang and Drugs Task Team (GDTT) and found him in possession of Zelda’s bank cards and the murder weapon.
The next day the team returned and nabbed Pietersen and third accused Elton Abrahams.
Ackerman and Pietersen pleaded guilty in November while Abrahams will go on trial later this month.
In her ruling, Judge Gayaat Salie-Hlophe, did not mince her words when she called the two killers “wolves”.
She said while Pietersen did not have a history of violent crimes, she could not turn a blind eye to the crimes of Ackerman, who had been serving a suspended sentence for assault at the time.
“The crime is simply a horrific event committed in broad daylight. It was a brazen act motivated by pure selfishness and flagrant disregard for the life of another human being," said Salie-Hlophe.
"You went about that day like wolves walking to nearby areas looking for a victim armed with a firearm to rob at all costs.
"You prowled around looking for someone to rob and kill. A defenceless woman was robbed of her possession and she was fatally wounded. In the end, solely done so that you can split the loot between the three of you.
"Zelda van Niekerk was no more than an object to you. To you she served as a means by which you could extract and satisfy your needs.”
'Wolves on the prowl': Michael Pietersen and Lucien Ackerman sent to jail. Picture: Monique Duval
The judge described her death as senseless and slammed the three, saying they could have easily overpowered her in the robbery and left her alive.
Pietersen was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder and 10 years for the robbery. But the judge ordered that five years of the murder sentence run concurrently with the 10-year sentence for the robbery, meaning he will effectively serve 25 years in jail.
Ackerman received 25 years for murder, 15 years for robbery, 10 years for illegal possession of the gun and five years for the ammunition. All his sentences will run concurrently.
A group of bikers cheered after the sentencing and outside court, they revved their engines.
A group of bikers revved their engines outside court. Video: Monique Duval
Speaking outside court, Cheryl Sandman from Bikers with a Cause explained Zelda was waiting for her on that fateful day.
“When I came on the N1, I arrived there to find her lying there and I will never forget her face," she said.
"Never forget how she was looking at me and there was nothing. She was such a leader for us and we have lost grip, our girls are all over the place.
Cheryl Sandman says Zelda was waiting for her on that fateful day. Video: Monique Duval
"It is not only our friend who was taken from us, it was our freedom.”
The bikers said they were happy with the sentence and would return to court when Abrahams stands trial.
