Gruesome murder, man gets life sentence plus 25 years, Hartbeesfontein

South African Police Service

Gruesome murder, man gets life sentence plus 25 years, Hartbeesfontein
Gruesome murder, man gets life sentence plus 25 years, Hartbeesfontein

The North West provincial police management welcomed a life sentence, 15 years imprisonment and 10 years imprisonment handed to Gaopalelwe Rothman (41) by the North West High Court, sitting in Potchefstroom, on Monday, 23 July 2018.

Rothman’s sentencing follows his arrest by the police in Hartbeesfontein on Tuesday, 24 May 2016, for murder, house breaking and robbery.

The police were called to a house robbery that was in progress at a house in Hartbeesfontein and responded swiftly. On their way, a suspicious man, holding a bag, was spotted by police. The accused was stopped and his bag was searched. Inside the bag, police found a knife, pickaxe and a hummer all with blood stains on it.

Police, accompanied by the accused, went to the crime scene and upon arrival they found the lifeless body of Jacob Mqikela (38) with multiple stab wounds on his head and his body. The accused was immediately arrested.

During investigation it was discovered that the accused broke into the house of the victim, waited for him inside his bedroom and by the time he came back from work, he stabbed him with a knife, followed him outside the house and continued to stab him with the knife. Other objects such as a hummer and a pick axe were also used to assault the victim, leading to his death.

Further investigation revealed that the accused had a previous case of domestic violence, where he received an 18 months suspended sentence for assaulting his wife in 2015.

According to information the accused killed Mqikela as he was dating his wife, although they were separated.

The accused counts of sentences are as follows:

Count one: ten years imprisonment for housebreaking with intend to commit a murder;
Count two: fifteen years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances and
Count three: life imprisonment for murder. The sentences will run concurrently.

Rothman was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000).

The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, commended the detectives in Hartbeesfontein for ensuring that the accused received a hefty sentence.

“With this sentence, we are once more sending a clear message to criminals out there that those who commit crime, will face the full might of the Law,” said Lieutenant General Motswenyane.

South Africa Today – South Africa News

SOURCESouth African Police Service