Man gets two life terms for rape, murder

A 42-YEAR-old Northern Cape man, Derrick Ettiene Cloete, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Springbok Regional Court for raping and murdering a 36-year-old woman.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Mojoalefa Senokoatsane said Cloete was with the victim, Katrina Prins, at the “Koffie Shop” in Steinkopf, an empty building that was frequented by people to consume alcohol, on December 29, 2012.

“The building has no doors or windows and is situated next to the N7 national road. They were drinking throughout the day. The deceased later went to her sister, who was staying with her boyfriend at a nearby business called Stein Civils. The sister of the deceased begged her to sleep over as she was very intoxicated. The deceased refused to sleep there, left the premises and met up with the accused again. That was the last time that her sister saw her alive,” said Senokoatsane.

He added that the sister searched for Prins the following morning because she was worried that she had not slept at home.

“The deceased also had an infant who needed her mother. The accused did not pick up his cellphone when she called him and he could also not be found at his residence. Various witnesses informed her that they had last seen the deceased with the accused.”

Senokoatsane said that Prins’s naked body was found inside the Koffie Bar, wrapped in a blanket.

“The investigating officer, Warrant Officer Pieter Barnard, noticed footprints and drag marks, where it appeared as if attempts were made to wipe the scene clear with nearby bushes. The accused was arrested as he was trying to flee from the scene.”

Senokoatsane stated that Cloete’s shoes matched prints on the scene, while DNA evidence confirmed that he had sexual intercourse with Prins.

“During the trial, the accused testified that he had consensual sexual intercourse with the deceased on December 29, 2012. He claimed that he had last seen her leaving with another man.

“Cloete indicated that he was at home the whole day on the day in question. He bought himself two beers and later that night went to relieve himself at the Koffie Bar, as he had a runny tummy.”

Senokoatsane said that Cloete told the court that he was smoking dagga and had not seen the body of the deceased.

“He said that he jumped through the window when he heard voices and was scared that he was going to be assaulted.”

Senokoatsane said that the court rejected Cloete’s version of events as it was full of “discrepancies and improbabilities”.

“The accused was sentenced on January 31, on the same day that he celebrated his 42nd birthday.

“The NPA acknowledges the work of the prosecution, led by regional court prosecutor Basil Kock, and commends the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Pieter Barnard, for his hard work in ensuring that justice was served and that the family of the deceased received closure.”

SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Merapelo Pilane said Cloete was handed two life sentences for the rape and murder and the sentences would run concurrently.

“The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm,” added Pilane.

“The police in the Northern Cape will continue to intensify and prioritise gender-based violence and femicide cases by ensuring that perpetrators are brought to book and face the full might of the law.”

The provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, welcomed the sentence.