The Colesberg Magistrate’s Court recently imposed a 28 years’ direct imprisonment sentencing to 39-year-old Benjamin “Bulski” Klaaste for house breaking and murder of an 82-year-old female victim on Tuesday, 15 October 2022 in Richmond, Northern Cape.
The Court heard that the victim was last seen at a traditional ceremony on Saturday, 15 October 2022. Her body with visible wounds was discovered on Monday, 17 October 2022 inside her house and the autopsy also revealed signs of strangulation.
A suspect was later linked to the crime scene through fingerprints lifted by the police and an arrest was executed on Saturday, 12 November 2022.
The female investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Steffanie Koen said this conviction is through cordial working relations with the State prosecutor who guided her all the way.
The accused was sentenced to 20 years’ direct imprisonment for murder and eight years’ for housebreaking and theft, both sentences will run concurrently.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, applauded the young and vibrant Detective Sergeant Stephanie Koen for preserving women’s rights and for the sterling investigations that ensured the perpetrator being incarcerated for a long period.