A South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldier has been convicted of murder in a case that stunned the Kimberley community and reignited debate over the use of force by those in uniform. The Northern Cape High Court found Desmond Zwakala guilty of fatally shooting 17-year-old Amogelang Assegai, a learner at Kimberley Boys High School, in October 2022.
The incident unfolded after Zwakala accused the teenager of stealing his son’s cellphone. The confrontation escalated, ending in gunfire and Assegai’s tragic death. The court heard that the shooting was unprovoked and unjustified, dismissing Zwakala’s claims of acting in defence or under threat.
Zwakala’s co-accused, who was allegedly the getaway driver, was acquitted after the court found insufficient evidence tying him directly to the crime.
Assegai’s death sparked widespread outrage, with community members and advocacy groups demanding accountability from armed forces personnel who abuse their power. The case became a painful symbol of the dangers of unchecked authority and the devastating consequences of snap judgments made with deadly force.
A sentencing date for Zwakala has yet to be confirmed, but the court’s ruling has already delivered a measure of justice to a grieving family and a shaken city.
