By Obakeng Maje
Prieska- A 30 year-old man, Pieter Jacobus Kleyn from Marydale outside Prieska was sentenced to 18 years this week in the Prieska Regional Court.

The sentencing follows a murder which took place in Marydale on the 5th of October 2012 at around 23:40.

“On this day, a 51 year-old man (Hendrik Gouws) was stabbed with a knife in his neck by Kleyn. It is reported that the deceased visited a female person during the incident” lieutenant Donald Mdhluli said.

Pieter Jacobus Kleyn and Hendrik Gouws apparently had a quarrel where Gouws was stabbed and unfortunately Gouws died due to his injuries.

Marydale Police were called to the scene and a case of murder was opened. Kleyn was immediately arrested at his place few moments after.

Sergeant Belvin Ellias Moseki was tasked to investigate the case.

“Pieter Jacobus Kleyn was eventually convicted of murder and sentenced to 18 years in prison. Lieutenant Colonel Israel Riet, the Prieska Cluster Commander has welcomed the sentence and indicated that this will serve as a lesson to other offenders that crime does not pay, and that people should try and use other means of communication and mediation rather than resorting to violence” Mdhluli said.

Lieutenant Colonel Riet further thanked the members for their hard work in ensuring that the perpetrator received a well-deserved sentence. He also encouraged them to keep up the good work.-TDN
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