Mother of 4 raped and burnt alive for allegedly stealing drugs

After a six-year wait, the family of Mishkaah Fakier finally received a measure of justice as her attacker, Elridge du Plessis, was found guilty of murder in the Wynberg Regional Court.

Du Plessis, 37, had pleaded not guilty to dousing the 44-year-old mother of four with petrol and setting her alight in a horrific incident that took place in Hout Bay in January 2018. He was also found guilty of rape.

Fakier suffered burns to 70 percent of her body and endured a brutal beating during the attack.

Despite her injuries, she bravely identified Du Plessis as her attacker before succumbing to her injuries in the hospital.

The State successfully argued that Du Plessis had planned the murder, fueled by accusations that Fakier had stolen drugs from him.

Du Plessis’s cousin and co-accused, Denzil du Plessis, 38, was acquitted of all charges. The court postponed sentencing to June 7th.

Fakier’s family expressed relief and gratitude at the verdict.

Relative Fadwah Vardien shared the family’s harrowing experience listening to details of Fakier’s suffering and her incredible courage in identifying her attacker.

The family commended the investigating officer for his unwavering support and vowed to seek a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for Du Plessis.


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