South Africa coffin case: Two guilty of attempted murder

Two white South Africans who filmed themselves forcing a black man into a coffin have been convicted of kidnap, assault and attempted murder.

Theo Jackson and Willem Oosthuizen's 20-second clip went viral on social media last year, showing them taunting victim Victor Mlotshwa.

One man is seen pushing the coffin lid down with his boot, while another threatens to put petrol and a snake inside.

Mlotshwa is heard begging them: "Please don't kill me."

The case, heard at a court in Middelburg, has caused outrage in a country where deep racial divides persist 23 years after the fall of apartheid.

Mr Mlotshwa welcomed the ruling, saying: "I'm feeling very good. This is exactly what I've been looking for and finally justice has been served."

Politicians from the government and main opposition parties joined a large crowd formed outside the packed courtroom on Friday to support him.

Some protesters carried mock coffins decorated with pictures of the defendants and placards reading: "Down with racism".

Jackson and Oosthuizen will remain on bail until their sentencing on 23 October.

The pair claimed they caught Mr Mlotshwa trespassing on their farm in possession of stolen copper cables.

"This hideous case lays bare the discrimination that still runs deep in South African society," said human rights charity Amnesty International.

"The fact that the whole grotesque episode was captured on video and then posted to social media suggests that the perpetrators felt little concern that they would face justice."

Black people make up 80% of South Africa's 54 million population, yet most its wealth remains in the hands of white people who account for about 8% of the population.