NORTHERN CAPE HIGH COURT CONVICTS AND SENTENCES FOR MURDER AND ASSAULT
01 AUGUST 2025
NORTHERN CAPE HIGH COURT CONVICTS AND SENTENCES FOR MURDER AND ASSAULT
Kimberley, Northern Cape - The High Court of South Africa, Northern Cape Division, sitting in Kimberley, has convicted and sentenced Jacobus Pitso (28) from Postmasburg on one count of murder and two counts of assault. The matter was prosecuted by State Advocate Mary-Ann Engelbrecht. Pitso pleaded guilty to all charges in terms of a section 112(2) statement.
The charges stemmed from an incident involving the accused, his 23-year-old partner Elzeth Vries, and two other individuals, Tiaan Van Wyk and Anthea Thys. According to the facts presented to the court, the parties had been consuming alcohol together when Pitso, driven by suspicions of infidelity, became aggressive. He threatened Van Wyk with a knife, assaulted Thys when she attempted to intervene, and then turned his aggression on Vries. After initially stabbing her, Vries managed to flee, but the accused pursued and continued to stab her multiple times. Vries was stabbed a total of nine times and succumbed to her injuries. At the time of the murder, the accused and the deceased were in a domestic relationship and had a five-year-old child together.
Pitso was convicted of: Count 1: Assault – sentenced to 2 years' direct imprisonment, Count 2: Assault – sentenced to 1 year's direct imprisonment, and Count 3: Murder with direct intention – sentenced to 20 years' direct imprisonment The sentences for counts 1 and 2 were ordered to run concurrently with the sentence for count 3, resulting in an effective sentence of 20 years' direct imprisonment. Additionally, the accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
This case highlights the devastating impact of gender-based violence and intimate partner femicide, which continue to plague our society. It can never be overstated how sacred human life is. The NPA remains unwavering in its commitment to pursue these cases with vigour and determination. Justice for victims of gender-based violence must not only be done but must also be seen as a message to would-be perpetrators that these crimes will be met with the full force of the law.
The National Prosecuting Authority reiterates that violence within domestic settings is neither private nor excusable, and every life lost to senseless brutality is one too many. The fight against gender-based violence and femicide requires consistent and uncompromising legal action, and the NPA will continue to play its part in ensuring accountability and deterrence.
Issued by:
Mojalefa Senokoatsane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Northern Cape Division
073 423 3539