Man sentenced to 15 years for fatal stabbing in Kimberley CBD

A 26-year-old Kimberley man, Samkelo Komazi, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the murder of 23-year-old Donovan Reed. The incident took place in December 2023 in the Kimberley Central Business District.

According to the state, Reed and a friend were walking home in the CBD when they had a verbal altercation with an unknown woman. The woman later reported the incident to her boyfriend, Komazi, who with his co-accused with Monti Van Wyk, confronted Reed and his friend.

During the confrontation, Komazi stabbed Reed in the stomach, resulting in his death, the state said. 

The state presented evidence from two key witnesses, including Reed's friend and a nearby restaurant owner, who both identified Komazi as the perpetrator. The court found Komazi guilty of murder and sentenced him to 15 years' direct imprisonment. His co-accused, Van Wyk, was acquitted.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the conviction and sentence, stating that it demonstrates the commitment of the criminal justice system to protect communities and ensure accountability for violent offenses.

The NPA's regional spokesperson, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, said the sentence sends a clear message that acts of violence resulting in loss of life will not be tolerated.

The court took into account the devastating impact of the crime on the Reed family, who detailed their pain and ongoing trauma in a Victim Impact Statement.

Komazi's sentence serves as a reminder of the consequences of violent behavior and the importance of accountability in the justice system.