TEN YEARS DIRECT IMPRISONMENT FOR THE MAN WHO KILLED HIS UNCLE
The Kimberley Regional Court has sentenced Elton Van Schalk Wyk(23) to ten years of direct imprisonment for killing his uncle, Jonathan Koopman(32). The accused was charged with murder read with section 51(2) of the Criminal Amendment Act.
It is alleged that on 13 September 2020, the victim approached the accused, as he had been informed by his mother that the accused had broken a window, and because they were related the victim wanted to get an amicable solution and reasons for such behavior. When the deceased was busy talking to the accused trying to defuse the situation and get his reasons for breaking the window, the accused informed the deceased to mind his business and leave him alone. Without any provocation, the accused pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim, who happened to be his uncle. The victim was declared dead, and the case of murder was opened by the members of the South African Police Service.
During the trial, the prosecution led by Regional Court Prosecutor Dineo Mathule argued that the accused did not show remorse as the trial had to be prolonged due to the behaviour of the accused. The prosecution called a single witness who testified that the accused was the aggressor and the were no reasons for him to attack the victim.
In aggravation of sentence, Prosecutor Dineo Mathule, reasoned that the court should not deviate from the prescribed sentence for such a crime, as it would be in the best interest of justice.
During sentencing, the magistrate put it to the accused that the sentence must fit the crime, and it must also be a deterrent to other criminals that crime does not pay. The accused was sentenced to ten years of direct imprisonment, and he was further declared unfit to possess a firearm.
