The Rapist And Murderer Were Sentenced To Two Life Terms And Six Years Imprisonment

The High Court of South Africa: Western Cape Division has sentenced a rapist and double murder accused, David Van Boven, to two life terms and 31 years imprisonment, and Judge Judith Cloete, described him as a very disturbed and dangerous person. Van Boven was sentenced following his conviction for the gruesome attack on Theology student, Jess Hess, and her grandfather Chris Lategan, on the morning of 30 August 2019.

He and his co-accused Tasliem Ambrose visited the flat Lategan and Hess were staying in Parow, and were let in as Van Boven, was known and related to the family. He viciously attacked Lategan, strangled him with a belt around his neck, bound his bands with sellotape and also taped his mouth with the Sellotape. He left him dead in the bathroom.

He then attacked Hess, raped her against her will, strangled her with a belt around her neck, stuffed a sock and a pillow into her mouth, and taped her mouth and eyes with a sellotape. Boven is no stranger to the law. At the time of committing these offences, he was out on parole, after serving 7 years of a 15-year sentence, for robbery with aggravating circumstances and rape.

Eight months after being released on parole, he committed the offences. Judge Cloete remarked that it is clear that the sentence he served earlier, did not have any deterrent or rehabilitation effect. His parole was revoked, and he is now serving the remainder of that 15-year prison sentence, which will expire on 2 August 2026. He is also facing another rape charge at the Wynberg Regional Court.

Arguing during the trial, Adv. Emily van Wyk told the court that the murders were not committed on the spur of the moment, but were planned and premeditated.  “Van Boven was the one who went to the home, he was the one who orchestrated the whole series of events that took place. Handing down the sentence, Judge Cloete said: “He is completely lacking remorse.

He believes he is entitled to do as he pleases, and to take whatever he wants, irrespective of the consequences to others. To my mind, this makes him a deeply disturbed individual, but it goes further than that, he is also an extremely dangerous one. The impression he has left this court is that he has no respect, whatsoever for the rights to life, dignity and safety of persons and their property. The strong message needs to go out that it is acceptable to kill, rob, terrorise and violate others, simply because you want their possessions”.

The Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape. Adv. Nicolette Bell applauded the investigating officer, Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Pretorius, and Adv. Van Wyk for their relentless to ensure justice for the families of the deceased and for fighting the spate of violent crimes in the province.

Note: The NPA’s media statements are available on the website: www.npa.gov.za

Issued by:

Eric Ntabazalila

National Prosecuting Authority

Regional Communications Manager

Western Cape

Tel: (021) 487 7308Mobile: 073 062 1222

Email: entabazalila@npa.gov.za