LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR MAN WHO BRUTALLY MURDERED HIS PARTNER IN UPINGTON
21 OCTOBER 2025
LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR MAN WHO BRUTALLY MURDERED HIS PARTNER IN UPINGTON
Upington, Northern Cape – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Northern Cape Division welcomes the sentence of life imprisonment imposed on Johannes Mouton (43) by the Upington High Court on 16 October 2025 for the brutal murder of his long-term partner, Sanna Basson. Mouton was convicted of murder, read with the provisions of section 51(1) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997, as the offence occurred within the context of a domestic relationship as defined in the Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998, as amended.
The tragic incident occurred between November 8 and 9, 2024. The couple, who shared a home and had three children together, had spent the evening drinking at a friend’s house. Upon returning home, an argument ensued after the deceased accused Mouton of wanting to meet other women. During the altercation, the accused used a spade to repeatedly assault the deceased on the head and body. The following morning, medical personnel attended to the victim and rushed her to the hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries on 22 November 2024.
A post-mortem examination revealed multiple blunt-force injuries and found the cause of death to be septicaemia, bronchopneumonia, and multiple injuries due to blunt-force trauma. Mouton pleaded guilty on 13 October 2025 in terms of section 112(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, and his plea was accepted by the State. After considering all aggravating and mitigating factors, the court found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence and sentenced him to life imprisonment. In terms of section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, the court also declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm. “This case is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence, particularly on women and children.
The NPA remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that perpetrators of gender-based violence face the full might of the law,” said Advocate Elmari Kruger, who represented the State. The NPA reiterates its commitment to prioritising Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) cases and to supporting victims and their families in their pursuit of justice. The sanctity of human life cannot be overemphasised, and the NPA will continue to pursue these cases vigorously to ensure justice and deterrence.
Issued by:
Mojalefa Senokoatsane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Northern Cape Division
073 423 3539