UPINGTON MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDER OF HIS MOTHER
03 October 2025
UPINGTON MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDER OF HIS MOTHER
Upington, Northern Cape – The Upington Regional Court has convicted and sentenced Clifford Cloete (32) to 20 years’ direct imprisonment for the murder of his mother, Yvonne Cloete.
The incident occurred on 13 December 2024, when the deceased returned home with her wheelchair-bound partner. Upon finding the accused wearing his stepfather’s shirt, she asked him to remove it. The accused, who had a history of stealing food and clothing to fund his tik and mandrax addiction, refused. When his mother removed the shirt and went to wash her hands outside, he followed her and fatally stabbed her once in the neck.
During the trial, Cloete pleaded not guilty, claiming he acted in self-defence. However, the State, through the testimony of five witnesses, disproved his version. The court rejected his defence as false beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted him of murder. In terms of minimum sentencing legislation, life imprisonment is ordinarily prescribed for domestic-related murders unless substantial and compelling circumstances exist. The court found such circumstances in this case and imposed a sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment instead of life.
The prosecution team was supported by Court Preparation Officer Kealeboga Lecage, who assisted witnesses and facilitated Victim Impact Statements. These statements revealed the devastating consequences of the murder on the family: the victim’s teenage children suffered severe emotional trauma and financial hardship, with her son leaving employment in Cape Town to care for his sister. Her disabled life partner has also been left without the care and support he once received from her.
In aggravation, the State argued that the accused’s lack of remorse, the brutal nature of the crime, and the prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) warranted life imprisonment. Reference was made to Judge Munzhelele’s judgment in S v SSN, which underscored the urgent need for stern sentences in cases of femicide and violence against women.Although the court did not impose life imprisonment, the NPA emphasises that the 20-year sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime and the deep harm inflicted on the surviving family members.
The NPA remains resolute in its commitment to pursuing justice for victims of GBV and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable. The life of a woman, particularly that of a mother, can never be treated as expendable.
The NPA will continue to advocate for sentences that reflect the seriousness of these crimes and to pursue them vigorously as a deterrent to would-be offenders.
Issued by:
Mojalefa Senokoatsane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Northern Cape Division
073 423 3539