Pieter van Westhuizen cleared of wrongdoing in deadly Centurion church shooting
The charges against Pieter van der Westhuizen have been dropped.
A police investigation found that van der Westhuizen, brother of the rugby legend Joost, acted in self-defence when he fired lethal shots at two robbers that stormed into church service in Wierdapark, Centurion last year.
The two armed men had attempted to rob church goers at the Querencia Ministries during a service in July when they were shot.
His lawyer Ulrich Roux has welcomed the outcome of the investigation.
“It has been confirmed during the SAPS investigation that our client acted in self-defence when he shot and killed the robbers and that his actions in all probability resulted in the prevention of any innocent church goers being hurt or killed by the armed robbers.
“The charges against our client have accordingly been withdrawn in their entirety and the docket closed off by the South African Police Services,” says Roux.
“It was further noted by the investigating officer that based on the witness statements that he had obtained, that were it not for Pieter’s actions that there was a definite possibility that innocent churchgoers could have suffered injuries or death at the hands of the robbers,” he explains.
Roux adds van der Westhuizen is happy to put the 9-month ordeal behind him.
“He’s obviously relieved, as are we, that justice has been served and that the charges have been withdrawn in their entirety.
“It was obviously a traumatic ordeal for him and despite him at all times believing that he acted in self-defence, it is still an emotional, traumatic experience for someone,” Roux says.
“He is however happy that he can carry on with his life.”
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