15-YEAR SENTENCE FOR MAN WHO KILLED HIS FRIEND
29 AUGUST 2025
15-YEAR SENTENCE FOR MAN WHO KILLED HIS FRIEND
Garies, Northern Cape – The Garies Regional Court has sentenced Juandre Smith (25) to 15 years direct imprisonment, with 5 years suspended for 5 years, after convicting him of the murder of his friend, 39-year-old Quinton Makatees. The incident took place in Klipfontein, Northern Cape, in June 2024. Evidence before the court revealed that Smith and Makatees had been friends who regularly spent time together.
On the night of 26 June 2024, tensions arose during a social gathering at Smith’s home after an argument between Makatees and his girlfriend. Smith reprimanded him, which led to a quarrel between the two men. When Makatees left the premises with his girlfriend, Smith armed himself with a screwdriver, pursued him, and stabbed him multiple times in the chest.
Makatees collapsed while walking home and succumbed to his injuries. The postmortem revealed a fatal stab wound to the chest, which penetrated the lung, ultimately causing his death. Following the attack, Smith proceeded to a nearby bar. Later that evening, community members confronted him about the stabbing. Police intervened to rescue him from a mob attack, after which he was arrested.
During the trial, prosecuted by Regional Court Prosecutor Basil Kock, Smith admitted that he acted out of anger, acknowledging that he was under the influence of alcohol but fully aware of his actions. He further conceded that he had no lawful justification to stab the deceased and accepted responsibility for the consequences of his actions. The court also ruled that Smith is unfit to possess a firearm in terms of section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.
The National Prosecuting Authority in the Northern Cape stresses that violent crimes, especially those fueled by anger and alcohol abuse, will not be tolerated. The outcome of this case serves as a firm reminder that the justice system continues to protect communities and hold offenders accountable. The NPA successfully prosecutes hundreds of such matters that affect the safety and well-being of our communities and ensures justice for victims of crime.
Issued by:
Mojalefa Senokoatsane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Northern Cape Division
073 423 3539