This, as his bid was denied in a high court sitting in Mmabatho. 

Bylsma was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment for murdering his ex-girlfriend and her friend in 2018. 

The National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, says Bylsma’s leave to appeal his sentence was dismissed by Judge Ronald Hendricks. 

This follows arguments between Bylsma’s defence team and the state which indicated that there was no substance in changing the circumstances surrounding this case. Bylsma’s legal counsel had argued that they were of the view that a higher court would pass a different judgment on the matter.

“Judge Hendricks said that having considered all grounds of appeal and having listened to both counsels’ submissions and studying heads of argument filed, as well as carefully perusing the record and main judgment, he was of the considered view that no other court, as a court of appeal, would come to a different decision than what the High Court had arrived at regarding the conviction,” Mamothame adds.

Judge Hendricks sentenced Bylsma to life imprisonment on two counts of murder for strangling and hanging Sharnelle Hough (17) and strangling her friend, Marna Engelbrecht (16), who is said to be his relative. The bodies of the deceased were discovered at Stella High School's hostel, Huis Esterhuizen, where they both attended.

Evidence presented in court by the state indicated that the murder was premeditated and driven by malice.

 OFM News