Nyoka Murder Sentencing: Prison Nurse Says Former Apartheid Officers Can Receive Medical Care Behind Bars

A Johannesburg High Court hearing has heard that former apartheid-era police officers Abraham Engelbrecht and Pieter Stander can receive appropriate medical and psychological care while serving prison sentences.

The two men are awaiting sentencing after being convicted of murdering student activist Caiphus Nyoka in 1987.

The sentencing proceedings are taking place at the court sitting in Benoni, where the defence has raised concerns about the men's medical fitness for imprisonment. Engelbrecht has cited a heart condition, while Stander told the court that he experiences mental health challenges.

Prison Nurse Says Engelbrecht And Stander Can Be Treated In Custody

Prison nurse Clementine Ramollo testified that the conditions raised by the defence would not prevent the two convicted men from receiving care in prison. She explained that correctional facilities have arrangements for psychological support, medical assessments and referrals to outside healthcare providers when necessary.

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“There is a programme for a psychologist, if need be, there is annual X-Ray programmes in need. There is a programme for outside referral if we do not have any service on site,” Ramollo told the court.

Defence Raises Concerns Over Convicted Officers' Health

The legal representatives for Engelbrecht and Stander have argued that their clients are not medically fit to serve custodial sentences. Engelbrecht's reported heart condition and Stander's mental health challenges were presented as part of the arguments during the sentencing proceedings.

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Ramollo's testimony addressed those concerns by outlining the medical support available to inmates, including access to services beyond those provided directly at correctional facilities.

Engelbrecht and Stander were found guilty in December of murdering Nyoka at his home in Daveyton in 1987. The conviction relates to the killing of the student activist during the apartheid era.

The State is expected to call additional witnesses on Friday morning as the court continues hearing evidence and arguments to determine an appropriate sentence for the former police officers.