Mr Middleton

Mr Middleton (d.o.b. unknown - 1999)

Brief overview:

Mr and Mrs Middleton, (first names not mentioned), arrived home in separate cars at their home at around 22h55 on 7th February 1999. After entering the upstairs of the house they noticed that their bedroom window had been broken into. The couple then went back downstairs and Mrs. Middleton was shot in the face. She managed to run towards the neighbours property, and whilst doing so, heard two gunshots, and after the second shot, she heard her husband screaming. Mr Middleton died at the scene.

Brief Biography:

• Other Victims/Family
• Funeral/Memorial
• The Street/Suburb
• The Region (Land disputes, other incidents etc.)

Attack Details:

• Date and time of attack
• Weapons
• Items Stolen
• Investigative officer/SAPS Case No:
• Torture, Gratuitous violence
• Indications of Hate Crime? Threats etc.

Perpetrator details:

• Number and Descriptions
• Arrests
• Name/s and age/s of Perpetrator/s
  • Three perpetrators were involved in the incident; Hendrik Sithole, Michael Khumalo and Tebogo (surname not mentioned). Tebogo and one of the accused drove out with the Middleton's a 4x4 Nissan pick-up truck, leaving the other perpetrator behind.
• Country of origin of Perpetrator/s
• Trial/Conviction
  • They were sentenced as follows: Count 1- life imprisonment, Count 2- 15 years imprisonment, Count 3- 20 years imprisonment, Count 4- 5 years imprisonment.
  • Sithole and Another v S (A777/15) [2017] ZAGPPHC 169 (20 February 2017)
    • The appeal hearing is attached.

"1. The appeal is upheld in relation to the conviction on murder, attempted murder and robbery.
2. The order of the trial court regarding convictions on murder, attempted murder and robbery are set aside and substituted with the following:
i. "The First Accused is not guilty of murder, attempted murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
ii. The First Accused is discharged in relation to the charges of murder, attempted murder and robbery.
3. The appeal against the conviction of attempted house breaking with intent to steal is dismissed.
4. The appeal against the sentence on the conviction of attempted house breaking with intent to steal is dismissed and accordingly stands as 5 years imprisonment,
5. This order is antedated to 31st December 2001."

Additional Biographical Information:

Links to Media articles:

• https://archive.ph/r2rjg (Court document)