The Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile has welcomed the hefty sentences which were imposed on the accused in two different murders that were perpetrated in Murraysburg during January 2021 and November 2018 respectively, claiming the lives of two women.
The accused in the 2021 murder of Janine Berenice Jacobus (22), 31-year-old Elrick Hendricks aka ‘Driesie’ was sentenced to life imprisonment whilst the 77-year-old pensioner, Jan Bam was sentenced to 15-years imprisonment in connection with the death of Elsie Cornelia Fritz (26) during November 2018 in Murraysburg.
Scenario 1
The 77-year-old accused, Jan Bam was sentenced in the Oudtshoorn Regional Court to 15-years direct imprisonment on Tuesday, 4 October 2022 following his trial in connection with the murder of the 26-year-old Elsie Cornelia Fritz. Preliminary investigation at the time revealed that the unknown body of the deceased was found in an open filed, laying in a pit-hole, already in an advance stage of decomposition. The autopsy confirmed that the deceased probably died due to multiple stab wounds to the right side of her neck.
Attempts by the investigation officer to trace the family proved to be successful and led to the identification of the deceased. Thorough investigation by the investigating officer, Detective Constable FLD Macpherson, assisted by information received from the community, led to the subsequent arrest of the accused, then 73-years-old at the time, at his house in Murraysburg.
His first court appearance was on 15 November 2018. He was sentenced in the Murraysburg Regional court on Tuesday, 4 October 2022 to direct imprisonment of 15-years and also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Scenario 2
The 31-year-old Elrick Hendricks made his final court appearance in the Murraysburg Regional Court last month (13 September 2022) in connection with the death of Berenice Jacobus (22) when the magistrate found him guilty on the following counts;
Assault GBH: 5 years imprisonment
Kidnapping: 5 years imprisonment
Murder: Life imprisonment and declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Initial investigation reveals that the local SAPS dispatched members to a complaint of Assault GBH in 31 Boesak Street, Murraysburg on 9 January 2021. On arrival, members found the body of the deceased Berenice Jacobus, in the yard with multiple stab wounds to her back. Eyewitness reports revealed that the boyfriend of the deceased (the accused) stabbed her and fled the scene on foot after the events.
The accused was subsequently traced and charged with the Murder. His first court appearance was on 11 January 2021 in the Murraysburg Magistrates’ Court. He remained in custody ever since.
The investigation officers in both murder cases, Detective Sergeant Siphokazi Mafuya and Detective Constable FLD Macpherson were praised for the excellent results achieved with the hefty sentences imposed on the accused through their dedication and hard work that finally paid off.
The Western Cape Provincial management has commended the investigating officers for their dedication and commitment which led to the arrest and subsequent conviction of the accused. The Provincial Commissioner was pleased with the harsh sentences and hope that it will deter potential criminals from committing similar offences against our most vulnerable, women. This also demonstrate the commitment of SAPS, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Judiciary to bring justice and closure to the people of this country, especially those that are marginalised and found themselves on the periphery of society where gender-based violence and femicide is rife.
