‘Nothing will ever bring my father back’ | Rhewal

Dries Nieuwoudt (Photo: Provided)

The conviction of his father’s three murderers brings some closure, but nothing that happens to them will ever bring his father back.

Earlier this week, three men were found guilty in the High Court in Pretoria of the murder of Dries Nieuwoudt (75).

“The final closure will be certain when they are sentenced,” said Andries Nieuwoudt, Dries’ son. “The last two years and a few months have not been easy – not for me, not for my mother, not for my children and my wife had to keep us all together.”

Dries and his wife, Mariana, were attacked on Monday 21 December 2020 on their farm near Hammanskraal, but were only rushed to help on Wednesday after Mariana was able to break open the door of the bathroom in which she was locked and called for help. Dries died soon after.

Lawrence Makhubela, Jacob Maponyane and Cornelius Makatu were found guilty of murdering Dries. They will not be sentenced until later this year.

“It’s never going to take away the pain. It’s not going to take away my children’s questions. It won’t take away my mother’s nightmares.

“Justice is a very heavy word – is it really justice that is being done? It’s not my place to make that judgement. One day they will have to account for what they have done.”

According to Andries, there is still a difficult road ahead. “There will still be many tears and sadness – on birthdays, Father’s Days and Christmas. Christmas will never be the same again.”