MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS FOR PREMEDITATED MURDER OF HIS “BROTHER”
12 September 2025
MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS FOR PREMEDITATED MURDER OF HIS “BROTHER”
Upington, Northern Cape – The Upington Regional Court has sentenced Piet Van Wyk (26) to 20 years’ direct imprisonment for the premeditated murder of Gerezade Bezuidenhoudt (26), with whom he grew up as brothers in the same household.
On 16 March 2024, the two men were drinking with friends at their family home when an argument broke out. Van Wyk armed himself with a bread knife while the deceased picked up a spade. When the knife broke during the confrontation, Van Wyk left the scene but later returned armed with two larger kitchen knives. He fatally stabbed Bezuidenhoudt in the chest while the deceased was still holding the spade. A post-mortem revealed that the knife penetrated 100mm into the chest cavity, piercing the right ventricle of the heart. Bezuidenhoudt collapsed and died on the way to the hospital in the arms of his sister-in-law.
During cross-examination, Van Wyk admitted that he was not under attack at the time of the fatal stabbing and had time to reflect before returning with new weapons. The court rejected his claim of self-defence, finding his actions deliberate and unlawful. The State argued that the murder was calculated and cold-blooded, with the accused showing no remorse. The court agreed, noting that Van Wyk had ample opportunity to de-escalate the conflict but instead escalated it, and sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment. A key factor in the successful prosecution was the contribution of Court Preparation Officer (CPO) Kealeboga Lecage, who assisted witnesses and supported the victim’s family in compiling Victim Impact Statements (VISs). In their statements, the deceased’s mother and sister-in-law described the deep trauma they continue to endure, the financial strain of caring for the deceased’s children, and the recurring emotional pain of reliving the incident.
Senior Public Prosecutor Christopher Shaun Bouman commended the teamwork between the prosecution and the court preparation service, stating: “Their dedication ensured that the true accounts of the witnesses were effectively presented before the court. This case highlights the dangers when individuals assume the role of victim, judge, and executioner. The sentence sends a clear message that vigilante justice will not be tolerated.”
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence as a clear demonstration of the justice system’s commitment to protecting communities and holding violent offenders accountable. The sanctity of human life remains paramount, and the NPA will continue to pursue these matters vigorously to deter would-be offenders.
Issued by:
Mojalefa Senokoatsane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Northern Cape Division
073 423 3539