© Ane Venter
Study Unit 6
Social Control Perspectives
1|Page
, © Ane Venter
Case Study:
The Waterkloof Four
----------------- Background Information -----------------
○ Year: 2001
○ Accused: Note:
- Hoerskool Waterkloof:
There were at least 7 people present at
Frikkie du Preez
the time the assaults took place, but
Gert van Schalkwyk
only 4 boys were sent to prison.
Reinarch Tiedt
Principal: Dr Becker (Christoff’s father)
- Hoerskool Garsfontein:
Christoff Becker
Brothers Heinrich and Reinard (Granted immunity for confessing)
○ Both schools were visited by the SAPS regarding increase in house burglaries – urged students to
report suspicious activities.
○ Both schools are situated in close knit, rich neighbourhoods.
- Students who attend these schools come from wealthy families.
○ Families have a lot of influence in their communities.
----------------- Murders & Sentencing -----------------
○ 2 locations of assault – disputed if they both happened on the same night.
○ Assault date: 2 December 2001
Timeline as provided in court: The night of 2 December / early morning of 3 December.
2001 ❖ The boys were clubbing in Hatfield.
Some left in a Toyota and others in a BMW.
❖ 1st assault – Specifically disputed if this happened on the night of the murder.
Constantia Park:
accused testified that they slowed down outside a gym in Constantia Park and assaulted a
man that they thought looked homeless.
Defence accused witness of fabricating the story – judge dismissed gaps in their story due
to traumatic memory issues of the witnesses.
Disputed if this assault happened on the same night, since it would give the accused a
maximum of 14 minutes to get to Moreleta Park. Constantia Park was not on the route
where they were heading.
❖ 2nd assault – Relevant to the murder charge
Moreleta Park:
accused spotted another homeless-looking man.
They severely assaulted the man in the park – justifying it by saying he had a stolen TV with
him.
2|Page
Study Unit 6
Social Control Perspectives
1|Page
, © Ane Venter
Case Study:
The Waterkloof Four
----------------- Background Information -----------------
○ Year: 2001
○ Accused: Note:
- Hoerskool Waterkloof:
There were at least 7 people present at
Frikkie du Preez
the time the assaults took place, but
Gert van Schalkwyk
only 4 boys were sent to prison.
Reinarch Tiedt
Principal: Dr Becker (Christoff’s father)
- Hoerskool Garsfontein:
Christoff Becker
Brothers Heinrich and Reinard (Granted immunity for confessing)
○ Both schools were visited by the SAPS regarding increase in house burglaries – urged students to
report suspicious activities.
○ Both schools are situated in close knit, rich neighbourhoods.
- Students who attend these schools come from wealthy families.
○ Families have a lot of influence in their communities.
----------------- Murders & Sentencing -----------------
○ 2 locations of assault – disputed if they both happened on the same night.
○ Assault date: 2 December 2001
Timeline as provided in court: The night of 2 December / early morning of 3 December.
2001 ❖ The boys were clubbing in Hatfield.
Some left in a Toyota and others in a BMW.
❖ 1st assault – Specifically disputed if this happened on the night of the murder.
Constantia Park:
accused testified that they slowed down outside a gym in Constantia Park and assaulted a
man that they thought looked homeless.
Defence accused witness of fabricating the story – judge dismissed gaps in their story due
to traumatic memory issues of the witnesses.
Disputed if this assault happened on the same night, since it would give the accused a
maximum of 14 minutes to get to Moreleta Park. Constantia Park was not on the route
where they were heading.
❖ 2nd assault – Relevant to the murder charge
Moreleta Park:
accused spotted another homeless-looking man.
They severely assaulted the man in the park – justifying it by saying he had a stolen TV with
him.
2|Page
