Gerrie Nel Nomgcobo Jiba

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – MARCH 28: Advocate Gerrie Nel and Advocate Barry Roux at the Pretoria Magistrates Court on March 28, 2013, in Pretoria, South Africa. Oscar Pistorius, who stands accused of shooting Reeva Steenkamp on February 14, 2013, has appealed his bail conditions. His appeal was successful. (Photo by Gallo Images / Foto24 / Deaan Vivier)

Why Gerrie Nel and Barry Roux are joining forces to free Coligny killers

With the financial backing of AfriForum, Gerrie Nel and Barry Roux are uniting to undo the murder convictions of two Coligny (North West) farm workers.

Gerrie Nel Nomgcobo Jiba

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – MARCH 28: Advocate Gerrie Nel and Advocate Barry Roux at the Pretoria Magistrates Court on March 28, 2013, in Pretoria, South Africa. Oscar Pistorius, who stands accused of shooting Reeva Steenkamp on February 14, 2013, has appealed his bail conditions. His appeal was successful. (Photo by Gallo Images / Foto24 / Deaan Vivier)

Once fierce enemies in the courtroom, two of the most famous lawyers in South Africa are set to unite in a bid to help free the Coligny killers. Both Gerrie Nel and Barry Roux are ready to defend Pieter Doorewaard and Phillip Schutte, who were found guilty of murdering teenager Matlhomola Mosweu in 2017.

Why Gerrie Nel and Barry Roux are taking on the Coligny case

The trial has been a 21-month marathon packed full of twists and turns, which looked set to culminate with this week’s sentencing proceedings. However, recent developments have thrown the judge’s decision into question. As TimesSelect reports, AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel says the group will fund the defendants’ legal fees.

It almost solely boils down to the testimony of star witness Bonakele Pakisi. His eyewitness account concluded that he saw the two convicted killers throw Mosweu from a moving bakkie, causing the injuries that claimed his life. In a tense, knife-edge trial, it was this evidence which swung the case.

Issues with the Coligny witness

However, the validity of Pakisi’s story has been thrown into doubt: Paul Morule, a preacher from Mahikeng, alleged that Pakisi had lied about the events which saw both Doorewaard and Schutte convicted of murder. The preacher also leaked a recording of Pakisi’s ‘confession’ to the newspaper Rapport.

The key witness has hit back, saying his confession was submitted under duress from a relative of one of the defendants. Kirsten Doorewaard is accused of intimidating and threatening the prosecution’s main man, but denies all allegations against her.

Gerrie Nel vs Barry Roux

The pair certainly share a luminous history with each other. Not only have they become the most recognisable names in South African legal practice, but they went head-to-head during the trial of Oscar Pistorius. Nel – or The Bulldog, as he’s more affectionately known – served as the prosecution, whereas Roux defended the former Paralympian.

However, their differences will be put to one side as they form a trifecta with the financial aid of AfriForum. Nel also serves as a private prosecutor for the Afrikaner-rights group and is currently representing their group in cases against Ford Motors and Duduzane Zuma. However, Kriel says Roux will take the lead on this one, as Nel serves to “offer his contributions” towards the case.