Son kills mother after being scolded for wearing stepfather’s shirt

A 32-YEAR-old Northern Cape man, Clifford Cloete, has been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for the murder of his mother, Yvonne Cloete, in Upington.

The incident occurred on December 13, 2024, when Cloete fatally stabbed his mother after she reprimanded him for wearing his stepfather’s clothes.

The court heard that the altercation began when the deceased asked her son to remove the shirt, leading to a violent confrontation. Cloete fled the scene and was arrested the following day. He was denied bail and remained in custody throughout the trial.

The SAPS management in the ZF Mgcawu District welcomed the sentence and praised the “meticulous investigation” by Sergeant Tsaone Mochware, which helped secure the conviction.

The police noted that the case highlights the seriousness with which authorities continue to address gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

Cloete’s conviction and sentencing serve as a stern message to perpetrators of such crimes, with the 20-year imprisonment term reflecting the gravity of the offence.