Apartheid-era cop jailed for murder of Nyoke amid chants of 'rot in jail'

EMOTIONAL scenes played out in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, as apartheid-era policeman Johan Marais was sentenced to 15 years for the murder of Chaipus Nyoka 38 years ago, with the Nyoka family crying, while a packed public gallery shouted “rot in jail”.

- ZELDA VENTER

A defeated-looking Marais on Thursday made his way to the holding cells, while ANC members shouted at him and others sang freedom songs.

Two of Nyokas elderly sisters, Sarah Nyoka and Alegria Nyoke, hugged supporters while wiping their tears. Alegria, after sentencing, said that while justice had been done for their brother, she is not sure the family is ready to forgive Marais.

The emotional woman said they have waited 38 years since her brother’s death for justice and to hear what really happened the night he was killed.

“Although our parents died without seeing this day, we have seen it on their behalf and on behalf of our brother who was brutally killed. I think his spirit fought for justice to prevail”

Asked if they will forgive him, she said it's difficult because the manner in which he had apologised to the family - only in January, after he was convicted, sending them a letter of apology - seemed self-serving on his part.