An argument over R10 led to a 20-year-old man facing 12 years in prison. This follows an incident on 31 January in Dakotaweg, Upington, when two cousins, who were sitting with friends, argued over the R10. The accused, Geraldo Filander (20), fatally stabbed his 15-year-old cousin, Calvin Brouw, and fled the scene.
Filander was arrested the next day and was released on bail. Earlier this October, Filander was convicted and sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment by the Upington Regional Court, said Sergeant Omphile Masegela, police spokesperson for the ZF Mgcawu District.
In another unrelated court case, also heard at the Upington Regional Court, 32-year-old Clifford Cloete was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for the murder of his mother.
This follows an incident on 13 December 2023 when the deceased, Yvonne Cloete (55), reprimanded her son for wearing his stepfather’s clothes. An altercation erupted, resulting in Clifford fatally stabbing his mother before fleeing the scene.
He was traced and arrested the following day, was denied bail, and remained in custody during the trial.
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In yet another unrelated case, a 21-year-old woman from Keimoes was convicted and sentenced for the abuse of her five-year-old son.
The court heard that on 7 July 2023, social workers received a report alleging child neglect, claiming that a 21-year-old woman had burnt her child with cigarettes and physically assaulted him. In November 2023, the victim’s grandmother reported her ongoing concerns to the police, fearing for the child’s safety as the abuse reportedly continued. A thorough investigation was immediately initiated.
The Keimoes Magistrates’ Court recently found the accused guilty and sentenced her to six years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years. She was further declared unfit to possess a firearm and to work with children.
