This, after the High Court in Kimberley on Tuesday handed down two life sentences to a 36-year-old, Michael Pietersen, for the murder of his 18-year-old girlfriend and 18-month-old son.

Pietersen, who hails from Windsorton, received a further 5 years imprisonment for defeating the ends of justice, which will run concurrently with the double life sentence.

Police spokesperson, Sergio Kock, says the bodies of Kantse Mokgele and little Neo Mokgele were found burnt in a veld near Van Zoelenslaagte in Windsorton on May 12.

The accused was arrested shortly after the bodies were discovered.

Kock in a statement explains "it was found that both the deceased had several stab wounds and was burnt by the accused. The accused was arrested hours after the bodies were discovered and he remained in custody up until his sentencing".

Whilst the Police Acting Provincial Commissioner, Phiwe Mnguni, welcomed the sentencing and commended the police for the investigations, he appealed to all community members to reports any cases of abuse against women and children.

His call comes at a time when the country is still grappling with escalating cases of gender-based violence, and has called to President Cyril Ramaphosa to take action.

OFM News