The Northern Cape provincial commissioner has welcomed the 30-year prison sentence handed to a Hanover man for the murder of his partner, whose body was found in a septic tank after she went missing.
THE PROVINCIAL commissioner of the SAPS in the Northern Cape, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, and her management team have welcomed the 30-year prison sentence recently handed down to a 41-year-old man for the murder of his partner.
Crawford Khuse was convicted and sentenced by the Colesberg High Court for killing his 41-year-old partner, Sophie Top, in Hanover, a crime that occurred between July 5 and August 7, 2023.
Provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam said that during the trial, the court learned that Top was last seen alive when Khuse picked her up from her home. On Monday, August 7, 2023, her body was discovered by a municipal worker who was emptying a septic tank in Khuse’s yard. The worker immediately alerted the police.
In addition to the 30-year sentence for murder, Khuse received an additional three-year sentence for defeating the ends of justice. Both sentences will run concurrently.
Lieutenant-General Otola commended Detective Sergeant Khanyisa Kalashi for the thorough investigation that led to Khuse’s conviction. She emphasised the importance of continued efforts by the police to combat gender-based violence, with a focus on community engagement through social crime prevention programmes.
The police have also encouraged the public to participate in the “Rate Our Service” online survey, which is designed to gather feedback and help improve law enforcement services in the fight against crime.
