Jealous rage: 20 years behind bars for man who murdered partner, assaulted two others

A 28-YEAR-old Postmasburg man, Jacobus Pitso, was recently sentenced to an effective 20 years’ imprisonment by the Northern Cape High Court following his conviction for murder and assault after he accused his partner of infidelity.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said Pitso pleaded guilty to all charges, following an incident involving his 23-year-old partner, Elzeth Vries, and two other individuals, Tiaan van Wyk and Anthea Thys.

"According to the facts presented to the court, the parties were consuming alcohol together when Pitso, driven by suspicions of infidelity, became aggressive. He threatened Van Wyk with a knife, assaulted Thys when she attempted to intervene and then turned his aggression on Vries. After initially stabbing her, Vries managed to flee, but the accused pursued and continued to stab her multiple times. Vries was stabbed a total of nine times and succumbed to her injuries," said Senokoatsane.

He added that Pitso and Vries were in a domestic relationship and shared a five-year-old child.

Senokoatsane said that Pitso was sentenced to an effective 20 years’ imprisonment for murder with direct intent, two years’ imprisonment for assault, and one year’s imprisonment for assault.

“The sentences for the counts of assault will run concurrently with the sentence for murder, and he will serve an effective sentence of 20 years’ direct imprisonment. Additionally, the accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm.”

Senokoatsane stated that the case highlighted the devastating impact of gender-based violence and intimate partner femicide, which continued to plague communities in the Northern Cape.

"It can never be overstated how sacred human life is. The NPA remains unwavering in its commitment to pursue these cases with vigour and determination. A strong message must be sent to would-be perpetrators that these crimes will be met with the full force of the law.

"The NPA reiterates that violence within domestic settings is neither private nor excusable. Every life lost to senseless brutality is one too many. The fight against gender-based violence and femicide requires consistent and uncompromising legal action, and the NPA will continue to play its part in ensuring accountability and deterrence," he said.