The police management of the Western Cape welcomed the lengthy sentences imposed for serious and violent crimes offences in the Garden Route District over the past month. These convictions and lengthy incarceration of offenders are evident of the commitment of police to ensure that those who threatens the safety of society will face the full might of the law, once arrested.
The meticulous investigation into the disappearance of a 60-year-old man, Eric Xakaxa, who was reported as missing on 06 April 2022 took police to a house at Xola Street. On arrival, the police found bloodstain against the walls of the residence. A trained police blood and semen detection dog was dispatched to the scene and the body of the man was found in a swallow grave behind the house. The occupant of the premises was arrested in connection with the killing.
The accused, Patrick Steyn (35), was convicted on charges of murder, theft and defeating the ends of justice. He was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for the murder and 3 years for theft and defeating the ends of justice at the Oudtshoorn Regional Court on Thursday, 11 April 2024.
In an unrelated matter, the Oudtshoorn Regional court sentenced Jo-Ando Pietersen (29) to 15 years imprisonment on 15 March 2024. The accused was convicted in connection with the death of Donovan Joseph(24) who died after he was stabbed to death with a knife at Reggie Oliphant Street in Bridgeton on 07 May 2021. Investigation led police to the accused who was convicted last year and subsequently sentenced as above.
Furthermore, members attached to the George Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual offences unit secured a 24 year imprisonment for the rape of a 14 year old girl which was perpetrated on a farm at Herold outside George on 01 October 2022.
The investigation revealed that the girl’s mother granted permission for her to accompany her cousin to a nearby house and on their return, the man lured the victim into the bushes where he raped her. She reported the incident to her mother on arrival at home.
Police later arrested the man and charged him for rape. The 24 year old accused was found guilty and sentenced at the Thembalethu Regional Court on 27 March 2024. His particulars were also added into the Sexual offences register.
Western Cape police management commended the efforts of the investigation and prosecution teams for their efforts to pursue these offenders with the aim to remove them from vulnerable communities.
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