The two accused are each facing charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.
THE SECOND accused, Marlon Koopman, linked to the fatal shooting of Ashwinn Malan, not only placed his co-accused Derrick Fyvers at the scene of the crime on the night of the incident, but also pointed Fyvers out as the person who shot the deceased.
Fyvers and Koopman appeared in the Northern Cape High Court where they accused of the murder of Malan.
Malan died on September 8, 2016 after he shot three times at his mother’s guest house, Atlantis Guest House, in West End in Kimberley.
The two accused are each facing charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.
Despite Fyvers on Monday, June 6, 2022 denying that he was in Pretoria and not in Kimberley at the time of the incident.
However, Koopman in his statement which was read into the court record by his legal representative, stated that Fyvers was the mastermind behind the incident and that he and two of his friends merely went along as Fyvers requested transportation from Koopman’s friend.
The court heard that Koopman made the statement on October 23, 2016.
“On Friday, September 2, 2016 around 3pm, I came from town to the residence of my girlfriend. I found two men, Derrick and Oupa, at the residence of my girlfriend. The two men were from Pretoria and were there to visit my girlfriend’s mother. I did not ask any questions about the two men. On September 8, 2016 a friend of mine, Rahjendra came to visit me at around 8 o’clock. Derrick asked me if I could ask Rahjendra if he could give him (Derrick) a lift to West End. Rahjendra agreed and myself, Derrick, Oupa, Levert van Wyk including Rahjendra left for West End. Prior to us leaving, we spoke outside my girlfriend’s house. Derrick indicated that he wanted to book into a guest house in West End as he did not have sufficient space to sleep at my girlfriend’s house. As we were standing and talking, Derrick told us the real reason for going to the guest house was that there was a “spin” of 10 televisions and a big generator in West End. Derrick explained that we would only pick up the items as they are stolen. We asked who was at the premises, and Derrick replied that the person who might be there was in Kuruman. Derrick explained to us where the quest house was located in Green Street. We parked outside the guest house and Derrick went and stood in front of the guest house. He said that there was a vehicle inside the premises and he was not sure if the person who was supposed to be in Kuruman had left. He said we must take the risk. We told him to go inside. Derrick told Rahjendra to hoot, as there was a lady inside who would open the gate. Rahjendra did that and he drove inside when the gate opened. Derrick and Rahjendra went to the lady and asked how much were the rooms. As they were talking, Rahjendra was busy on his phone. He was standing next to the bakkie and I was at the back. Oupa was also not inside the bakkie, but I was not sure where he was. While Rahjendra and Levert were busy talking to the lady, Derrick ran to the power box, opened it and the lights went off. Before the lights went off, I walked to Rahjendra and Levert. When the lights were off, Derrick took the lady around the neck. She started screaming and asked what we wanted and that she did not have any money. Derrick said to her “sush my dear” and took her inside. I went inside and the lady was quiet and sitting on the floor. Derrick said he heard something and went outside. I then heard shots going off. I went outside and saw the bakkie was leaving. There were more shots and I hopped onto the bakkie with Rahjendra inside. We left the scene and were afraid Derrick and Oupa would kill us. I suspected that they took us there to kill us. We went past Galeshewe to Coville looking for Levert, but were not able to find him. We suspected that the two men might have killed Levert. At that stage I did not know whether someone was murdered,” Koopman’s statement read.
He further stated that Derrick threatened them if they should talk to anyone about the incident.
“Later that night, Derrick and Oupa came to me and Rahjendra. Derrick asked where Levert was and I told him that we were also looking for Levert. Derrick had a silver firearm which had a spin barrel. Derrick took out the bullets and said whoever spoke about the incident would be shot. Derrick said that firearm had done many jobs. We asked him why there was a shooting and he said there was a man with something silver on the premises. I saw Derrick had blood on his sneakers. He burnt the sneakers at my girlfriend’s house. Derrick never said he killed someone, but that he had shot someone. I read in the newspaper that someone was killed. I wanted to go to the police, but Derrick had left messages that he would kill me,” said Koopman.
He admitted that he knowingly went with the group to get stolen property.
“I admit I went to the guest house to get stolen property but I withdraw myself from the killing of the deceased. I know that the lady who was sitting on the ground had a relationship with Derrick. I was under the impression that she was the person who would be helpful during the incident.
Before the court adjourned, Koopman’s lawyer requested the court to separate his client from Fyvers when they are transported to court as well as that they should be kept in separate holding cells at the court.
Koopman’s lawyer said his client was in fear of his safety should he be left with Fyvers.
The case continues.
