By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley-Johan Jacobs (25) will spend the 22 years in jail after been found guilty and sentenced for double murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm “Assault GBH”.
John murdered his own brother and his cousin on 22 December 2012, after argument over food, on Witfontein farm.
On that fateful day during the quarrel,he drew a knife out of his pants pocket and stabbed his brother Denzel Jacobs (20) three times in the chest.
Lieutenant Olebogeng Tawana said Denzel died on the scene, while other family members tried to resuscitate him.
“After the atrocity,he left the house through the back door, and he met his cousin Maans Jacobs (18) at the door. Maans asked him what is happening and what is that he did in the house and why did he stab Denzel. He aggressively drew out knife again and stabbed Maans Jacobs in the chest two times and also died on the scene” Tawana said.
Outside the house, on his way out of the yard premises he came across Tshepiso Selogilwe, who also became Johan’s victim.
He assaulted him with the intention to cause the grievous bodily harm.
Tshepiso sustained injuries and bruises after being attacked.
The tragic of the double murder episodes changed the festive mood among the Jacobs’ family and the parents of the deceased.
“Johan appeared before the Northern Cape High Court, on Friday to learn about his fate and hoping to get lesser sentence”.
“Holding a small pocket bible in his hand while in the dock, with an anguished facial appearance, Johan expected a miracle to happen in his favour” Tawana said.
Before Judge Violet Phatshoane handed down the sentence, she indicated number of elements that the court had took into account, including the mitigating factors which his attorney had brought before the court. However she could not agree, with the proposed 15 years jail term that which was proposed by the State prosecutor.
“Your previous convictions will not incriminate you in the current case” she said.
“However the court view, these double murders is in a very serious light. The South African constitution recognises the right to life and this right is very absolute” Phatshoane said.
The court said no person has the right to take away any person’s life.
Phatshoane refuted his argument statement, which says he killed Denzel and Maans because he was defending himself against them.
She called his statement a “fabricated defence”.
The deceased were not armed, during the incident; therefore they were not posing any threat to him.
“It was clear that during this incidents you were ruthless, you should have took note that your first murder was wrong, however you continued and commit the second murder” she said.
The judge further applauded all the witnesses who took stand to testify against Johan.
“They were true to be true, they were explicit during cross examination and when they were giving testimony”.
She described Johan as a vicious, violent and aggressive person.
Both Denzel and Maans were bread winners.
“The family are unable to come to terms with their untimely death. The family had to mourn and bury their loved ones during the festive time” she said.
The accused was supposed to be role model to both the deceased because he was much older than them, she said.-TDN
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