Judge Robert Henney handed down life sentences to Brent Henry and Juane Jacobs for the murder of Stellenbosch University graduate Carl Schoombie in the Western Cape High Court on May 26.
Henry and Jacobs had followed Carl from the Tiger Tiger nightclub on Main Road, Claremont, on a night in November 2015.
The taxi Carl was travelling in was blocked in a cul-de-sac.
Henry and Jacobs attacked Carl, accusing him without basis of starting trouble at the nightclub.
Carl spent days in a coma in hospital but died from head injuries.
Judge Henney previously stated in court: “It seems the main aim of the accused was to kick and beat the deceased incessantly on the head and nowhere else on the body.”
This after the pathologist who examined Carl’s body said he had a brain injury usually only seen in people killed in a major car accident.
On Friday, before handing down the sentence, Judge Henney said: “Although not planned or premeditated, their conduct was brazen and revolting and would have produced a sense of shock in any normal human being.”
He was also disturbed at the fact that both accused failed to show remorse for what he called “a cowardly and brutal attack”.
The Schoombie family started embracing each other and there was a sigh of relief as Judge Henney sentenced both men to life behind bars.
In the public gallery upstairs, Henry and Jacobs’ families watched on in tears as the men were handcuffed and lead to the court’s holding cells, with both showing little emotion.
Messages of support poured in through the “Justice for Carl” Facebook page, set up by Carl’s brother, Lee Schoombie, which he had used to gather details on the incident.
Janine Stacey wrote: “So thankful they have been brought to book and that they will spend the rest of their miserable lives behind bars.”
Paul Eleftherios Roussot wrote: “This is the best news!! May those scumbags rot in jail for their despicable crimes!! Justice has finally been served!”
Luan Benjamin wrote: “Justice has prevailed! So sorry though that the Schoombie family must go through this.”
Natasha Finch wrote: “This the most wonderful news! Well done Schoombie family for achieving justice for Carl. You have all been so strong!”
Outside court, Lee said it was a “bitter-sweet” moment for the family.
He said while justice had been served, it would not bring back their brother.
But, he said: “I never expected it to be less than life (sentences).”
