By Kedibone Molaetsi
Kimberley- A 28-year-old man from Campbell was sentenced in the Kimberley High court for murder. 

Gert Waterwond was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and murder.

On the 3rd October 2013 at about 18:00, Katty Johannes,53, was alone at home with her daughter in Campbell when two men entered her yard and stole two chickens.

The accused Abraham Swartz and Gert Waterwond sold the chickens and later returned to the house. They broke into the house and stole an Amplifier and a DVD Player. The victim and her 8 year-old daughter were at home. Both men raped the woman in front of the child.

Thereafter they strangled her and left.
“During the time of the incident Katty’s husband was not home as he was out fishing with other family friends” lieutenant Sergio Kock said. 

There was a manhunt for the suspects, Abraham Swartz and Gert Waterwond were arrested the same day by police.

“During the time of their arrest, police found the following items in their possession; DVD player, Amplifier, as well as live chickens that were already slaughtered. The two were positively identified in the ID parade and were charged with rape, murder, and house breaking with intent to steal stock” Kock said. 

Detective Constable Algene Mandisa San was tasked to investigate this case. 

Swartz and Waterwond appeared in Douglas Magistrate’s Court and their case was referred to Kimberley High Court.

During the trial, one of the accused, Abraham Swartz passed away.

The trial continued with the 28-year-old Gert Waterwond being the only accused and Waterwond was found guilty. He was sentenced as follows:

count 1 –  theft,  sentenced to twelve (12) months imprisonment.  On the count 2 and 3 – house breaking with intent to commit a crime unknown to the prosecutor- 6 years imprisonment.
He was also found guilty on a count 4 of rape and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

On count 5 of murder, he was sentenced to life imprisonment as well. The sentencing will run concurrently.

Major General Jean Abrahams, the Cluster Commander of Kimberley, has welcomed the  two life sentences and stated that this conviction will serve as a deterrent to any would be rapists and murderers.

She also commended Detective Constable Algene Mandisa San for her excellent investigation.

Such sentence meted out to criminals is an indication that our members work extremely hard to remove the criminals from our streets.-TDN
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