A 32-year-old Northern Cape man was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment by the Upington Regional Court for the murder of his brother.
Image: Freepik / File
A DOMESTIC dispute between two brothers ended tragically when a confrontation turned fatal in Raaswater, near Upington. Willem Rooi, 32, stabbed his 33-year-old brother, Jan Rooi, to death on May 21, 2024, at their family home.
According to Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Omphile Masegela, Willem Rooi was arrested on the same day and appeared in court shortly after. The case was assigned to Sergeant Vuyani Silingile of the Upington Detective Branch, who led the investigation.
Rooi was convicted of murder and sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment by the Upington Regional Court.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) welcomed the sentence, emphasising the seriousness of domestic violence-related crimes.
"The management of the SAPS in the ZF Mgcawu District welcomed the hefty sentence that was handed down," said Masegela.
The conviction was attributed to a swift and thorough investigation, with both the investigating officer and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) receiving praise for their co-ordinated efforts.
“The investigating officer and NPA were lauded for the teamwork and prompt investigation, which secured a lengthy sentence in this domestic violence-related case,” said Masegela.
The 15-year prison sentence serves as a reminder of the potentially severe consequences of domestic disputes and the importance of addressing underlying issues to prevent such tragedies.
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