WESTERN CAPE - The Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile lauded the investigating officer for his exceptional skills in the murder case of Vaughn Francis. On Tuesday 23 August 2022 Judge Pillay of Wynberg Regional court sentenced 23-year-old Achmat Thorne.
On Friday 06 December 2019, the victim was walking home after visiting a nearby shop, when he was approached by an unknown male. The suspect opened fire and shot the victim numerous times. The victim ran towards the front door and collapsed. He was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel.
Steenberg detectives thoroughly probed the matter and arrested the suspect. The investigating officer, Sergeant Marc Lucas stood his ground in court when the defence lawyer fired numerous questions at him, in a bid to derail him. The investigating officer calmly responded by providing the facts as contained in his statement.
After a lengthy trial in the Wynberg Regional Court, Achmat Thorne was convicted on a charge of murder and sentenced to 15 years and on the charge of attempted murder to 5 years imprisonment. These sentences will run concurrently and the accused will be incarcerated for 15 years.
Source: South African Police Service