The appellant, a 22–23-year-old farmer, together with his brother, confronted two men (the deceased and Nkosi) on his farm who were collecting firewood. After initially ordering them to leave, the appellant returned with his armed brother intending to assault them. The men were attacked; Nkosi escaped, but the deceased was assaulted, chased, shot twice by the appellant, and seriously wounded. Believing they would get into trouble, the appellant and his brother decided to kill the deceased and conceal the crime. While still alive, the deceased was transported, a grave was dug, and he was eventually killed with a pick axe and buried in a cornfield. The appellant pleaded guilty to murder and assault and was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pretoria High Court under the minimum sentencing regime.