Tefelo Dikole who was convicted of the murder of Kutlwano and the attempted rape of his mother, Evelyn Garesape, on August 12, 2016 received his sentence from Acting Judge Vuma.
Dikole’s attorney, Pierre Fourie, earlier submitted that his client had been convicted of a very serious offence. He said Dikole, however, never planned the attack.
“A young boy lost his life and there is nothing that can be done to bring him back. However, the initial attack was never on the deceased but rather on the mother. I submit that it was a spur of the moment offence that was committed,” said Fourie.
Fourie admitted that the aggravating circumstances outweighed the mitigating circumstances but argued that Dikole could still be rehabilitated.
“The psychiatric report stated that the accused suffers from a substance induced mood disorder. He can, however, be rehabilitated. There is no evidence before court that the accused cannot be rehabilitated,” said Fourie.
The State, represented by advocate Kenny Kgatwe, said Dikole was heartless.
Video: Soraya Crowie
“The deceased was robbed of his life at a young age. The country was robbed of a citizen who might have become president.
“The post-mortem pictures show that the deceased was killed in a gruesome manner as his intestines were exposed after the accused had stabbed him. There is currently no reason or answer about what the deceased had done in order for the accused to kill him in such a brutal manner. The accused did not take the court into confidence to testify on the incident,” said Kgwate.
The State requested the court to impose a maximum sentence on Dikole.
* More in tomorrow's DFA