Upington man gets 12 years for killing 15-year-old cousin over R10

A 20-YEAR-old Upington man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the murder of his teenage cousin — a shocking act that stemmed from an argument over just R10.

According to Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Omphile Masegela, the tragic incident unfolded on January 31 in Dakotaweg, Upington, when a dispute broke out between the two cousins while they were sitting with friends.

During the quarrel, Geraldo Filander, 20, fatally stabbed 15-year-old Calvin Brouw before fleeing the scene. The area was processed by Warrant Officer Chante Ganas of the Upington Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), while the case was assigned to Sergeant Bahedile Nkwadipo, who revisited the scene the following day and swiftly arrested the suspect.

Filander was later released on bail but returned to court this month, where he was convicted and sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment by the Upington Regional Court on October 8.

The acting district commissioner of ZF Mgcawu, Brigadier Peet Coetzee, commended the investigating officer for her “meticulous” work, which led to the swift conviction of the accused.

He added that the police “remain steadfast and resilient” in their efforts to investigate crime and ensure that justice prevails for victims.