MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR INSURANCE MONEY MURDER

03 JUNE 2025

MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR INSURANCE MONEY MURDER

Oudtshoorn, South Africa, Francisco Erasmus will serve life imprisonment after the Oudtshoorn Regional Court sentenced him for the premeditated murder of an elderly farmer for insurance money. The commendable sentence comes after the State successfully argued that the accused planned the gruesome murder of Abraham Herandien, 60, and it was motivated by financial gains. Regional court prosecutor Adv Michelle Weyers argued that the seriousness of the crime justifies a sentence of life imprisonment, and that Erasmus could not indicate substantial and compelling circumstances to the court to deviate from the minimum sentence of life imprisonment.

Adv Weyers' earlier led evidence that the deceased and his wife lived at Bloupunt Farm just outside Oudtshoorn. The deceased met the accused in 2019, and he used to bring food to the deceased and his wife. He took them to different banks in Oudtshoorn and George to open bank accounts and apply for life policies. He and the deceased’s wife were beneficiaries of some of the deceased’s policies. He also kept their bank cards and documents. On 21 March 2023, he rented a vehicle in George and drove to the farm to pick up the deceased. The deceased’s wife testified that she saw the driver of the car with black clothing covering his whole body when he arrived at their house. She could only see his eyes. The deceased told her that the person was going to help him with his SASSA grant application. They then left.

Provincial traffic officers came across the same vehicle next to Dysselsdorp Road, facing towards the direction of Oudtshoorn. Its number plates were concealed with dirt, and they could not see the registration number. They pulled up behind the vehicle, and the driver drove off. After switching on their sirens and blue lights, the driver pulled over. The accused got out of the vehicle and was dressed in Muslim women's clothing with only his eyes visible. The traffic officers who testified as State witnesses found the injured elderly man in the passenger seat. They noticed blood on the door of the passenger side as well as inside the vehicle. Herandien had been stabbed. They asked him who had stabbed him, and he pointed at the accused, who was standing on the driver’s side of the vehicle. The traffic officers asked the accused to drive in front of them towards Oudtshoorn. They knew there was a roadblock ahead. The accused was arrested at the roadblock, and the deceased was declared dead. Police found a knife blade in the vehicle, a make-up kit, a lady’s bra, contact lens holders, syringes, and black material in a bag. It was evident that the accused wanted to hide his identity.

Following the trial, the accused was convicted of premeditated murder, and the State asked the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment. It further argued that the accused could not be rehabilitated, considering his previous convictions, which speak volumes about his violent nature. He was on parole when he committed the murder, and he is currently serving the rest of his previous sentence of 32 years, of which five years are left. Adv Weyers also introduced the accused previous conviction which include theft (1992), two counts of attempted murder(1999), two counts of robbery (1999), four counts of possession of an illegal firearm and possession of illegal ammunition (1999), malicious property damage (1999), assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (1999), theft (1999), escape or attempt to escape from custody(1999) and reckless and negligent driving (1999). The offences were committed in the Eastern Cape, where the accused and three others shot at police in Steytlerville. They fled the scene, and police arrested them in Beaufort-West. Police took them to Correctional Services in Steytlerville. They asked the head of the prison to make a call, assaulted him, took firearms from the safe and escaped from prison. Police arrested them later.

In her Victim Impact Statement, the deceased’s wife stated that she and her husband had been together for 42 years since the ages of 17 and 19 years. They did not have any children, and she is now left all alone. She had to relocate from the farm after her husband’s death. The State argued that this was a violent death that the deceased had to suffer. The court must protect the community and, by so doing, create a safer environment. The court agreed and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

The NPA welcomed the sentence and praised Adv Weyers and the investigation team for their sterling work to ensure justice for victims of this crime.

Issued by:

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