Northern Cape man sentenced for raping teen, strangling her with his shoelaces

THE UPINGTON High Court recently sentenced 26-year-old Garshwin van Rooyen to 25 years in prison for rape and 25 years for the murder of 19-year-old Verona Paulus. The sentences will run concurrently.

According to Northern Cape police spokesperson Captain Nelis Prins, the incident occurred on June 9, 2023. Paulus was walking in the veld with Van Rooyen near Lennertsville in Keimoes when he raped her and then strangled her using the shoelaces from his sneakers.

Following a thorough investigation, Warrant Officer William Mouers and Sergeant Heinrich Titus, from the Keimoes Detectives, arrested Van Rooyen. The prosecution team, led by senior advocate Jaques Rosenberg, secured the significant sentence handed down on October 29, 2024, that will see Van Rooyen spend 25 years behind bars.

The acting district commissioner of the ZF Mgcawu District, Brigadier Peet Coetzee, commended the investigating officers for their meticulous and dedicated work that resulted in the arrest and conviction.

He reassured the community that the SAPS will continue to strengthen efforts to combat crimes against women and children, ensuring that perpetrators face justice for their actions.