Convicted Karoo livestock farmer Louis Lategan has hired Advocate Annelene van den Heever, postponing his sentencing in the Makhanda High Court by three weeks to October 12, according to confirmed reports. Van den Heever, who also defends Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala on attempted murder charges in the Johannesburg High Court, was appointed to represent Lategan on Monday so she can place herself on record.
Judge Judith Roberson convicted the 42-year-old farmer on 21 of the 22 counts he faced on Wednesday of last week. The court found Lategan guilty of trafficking all six young women he brought to his farm in the Xamdeboo, formerly Aberdeen, district between 2020 and 2023, and of raping three of them. He was acquitted of raping two additional victims and convicted of assaulting them instead, while an initial rape charge involving a minor was dismissed at the close of the state’s case.
Legal Proceedings and Charges Faced by Lategan
Beyond the trafficking and rape convictions, Judge Roberson found Lategan guilty on three counts of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm against children aged 11, 12, and 13. Additional convictions include a separate count of assaulting a child, two counts of assaulting an adult farm worker, and two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition. State advocate Nickie Turner told the court that Lategan gave his victims drinks laced with a drug, causing them to wake up in his bed with no recollection of events. Lategan denied drugging anyone, testifying that every woman slept with him willingly.
The victims were aged between 18 and 24, had left school without finding work, and traveled hundreds of kilometres from home after believing they were hired to look after Lategan’s two children. During the period they lived on the farm, one of the six women took her own life in February 2022, another gave birth to his child, and a third lost a pregnancy. Lategan handed himself over to police in Xamdeboo with his attorney on July 3, 2023, and has remained in custody after being refused bail twice and losing an appeal in the Makhanda High Court in November 2024.
Did You Know? Louis Lategan surrendered to police in Xamdeboo accompanied by his attorney on July 3, 2023, and has remained detained in custody after multiple unsuccessful bail applications.
Sentencing Implications and Next Legal Steps
Life imprisonment serves as the prescribed minimum sentence for the trafficking and rape counts because the victims were trafficked and raped more than once, according to court details. Furthermore, the state announced its intention to request that Lategan’s name be entered on the National Register of Sex Offenders. The three-week adjournment allows Advocate van den Heever time to officially place herself on record before the Makhanda High Court hears arguments regarding these minimum sentences.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Louis Lategan scheduled to appear for sentencing?
The sentencing hearing was postponed to October 12 in the Makhanda High Court.
What specific convictions does Lategan face?
Judge Judith Roberson convicted him on 21 of 22 counts, including human trafficking for all six victims, three counts of rape, multiple assault counts involving children and an adult worker, and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Who is Lategan’s new defense lawyer?
Advocate Annelene van den Heever was appointed on Monday to represent Lategan and formally placed herself on record.
What legal arguments could the defense raise during the upcoming sentencing proceedings on October 12?
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