MAN SENTENCED AFTER HE ROBBED AND KILLED THE MAN HE HAD SEX WITH

25 JUNE 2025

MAN SENTENCED AFTER HE ROBBED AND KILLED THE MAN HE HAD SEX WITH

Vredenburg, South Africa, The Vredenburg Regional Court has sentenced murderer, Wesley Snyders, to an effective 25-year direct imprisonment after he confessed that he stabbed Erlilo Byl all over his body, bludgeoned him with a rock and robbed him of his cellphone. This is after the two men had sex at the beach in Saldanha.

The court ordered the accused to serve two-thirds of the 25-year direct imprisonment sentence before he can be placed on parole. It also ordered the deceased’s family to be notified of the sentence and declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of Act 60 of 2000.

In a plea and sentence agreement finalised with the State, Snyders confessed that between 14 and 17 January 2024 he unlawfully and intentionally killed Byl, by stabbing him all over his body and assaulting him with a rock. He killed the deceased while committing a robbery with aggravating circumstances. He claimed that he and the deceased agreed to have sex at the beach in Saldanha. After they had sex, he decided to rob Byl of his cellphone.

The deceased resisted and did not want to hand over the cellphone. He stabbed him all over his body with a knife he had, and the deceased fell to the ground. He took a rock that was close by and beat him with it. He then took his cellphone and ran away. He confirmed that the deceased died because he stabbed the deceased with a knife and assaulted him with a rock. He admitted that although he was under the influence of drugs, he was still able to differentiate between right and wrong and to act in accordance with such appreciation. He further admitted that he at all material times intended to rob and subsequently kill Byl.

Arguing for a sentence fitting the crime, Vredenburg Magistrates Court Senior Public Prosecutor said the accused caused the death of another human being, who was only 27 years old at the time of his death. The deceased was last seen on 14 January 2024 which led to him being reported missing. His body was found in a terrible condition on the beach in Saldanha on 17 January 2024. This had a traumatic effect on his family and friends.

In mitigation of sentence, the defence argued that substantial and compelling circumstances which justify a sentence other than the prescribed sentence existed. They were argued that the accused was 18 years old at the time of the offence and thus his youthfulness should be considered. He had pleaded guilty and exhibited true remorse. His plea of guilty has spared the State the expense and inconvenience of a protracted trial.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence and commits to continue prosecuting criminals who commit serious crimes like murder.

Issued by:

Eric Ntabazalila
National Prosecuting Authority
Regional Communications Manager – Western Cape
Tel: (021) 487 7308
Mobile: 073 062 1222