Life for axe murderer

08 May 2007- Cape Town- The Cape High Court yesterday jailed for life a science graduate who launched a fatal axe attack on his former gay partner, who had started a new gay relationship with another partner.

Judge Daniel Dlodlo told Michael Barend van Zyl (29), that he was a danger not only to society but to himself. The judge added: "Your vicious axe attack on the deceased tells the court what kind of violence you are capable of, and that you might in the future be inclined to do it again to someone else." Van Zyl was sentenced for the premeditated murder of estate agent Andre Weitz. He got an additional 15 years for aggravated robbery - relating to his escape, after the murder, in Weitz's car, with many of Weitz's personal belongings.

Van Zyl weeps
Van Zyl wept silently during sentencing, head down, and did not once look up at the people in court. He seemed offended by any acts of kindness shown to him, even when the police court orderly passed tissues to him, given to the policeman by people who were in the courtroom to support Van Zyl. When Van Zyl was led sobbing from the courtroom to the holding cells, in leg and wrist irons, he ignored an elderly couple who stretched out their arms to him.

The attack on Weitz, in June 2004 at Weitz's Thornton home, happened after Weitz had started his new gay relationship with another partner. The judge said Weitz had not been happy about Van Zyl's unexpected arrival at his home, which Weitz had at that stage shared with his new partner.

The judge also said Weitz had been kind enough to take Van Zyl to a bus stop, for a trip to Durban, but Van Zyl, instead of boarding the bus, had wandered around all over the Cape Peninsula before eventually returning to the Weitz home. Weitz was not at home, but Van Zyl had gained access nevertheless, and had taken a bath before trying to commit suicide by slashing his wrists and swallowing pills.

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