SPRINGBOK MAN SENTENCED FOR COUSIN’S MURDER FOLLOWING DRINKING SESSION

Springbok, Northern Cape – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence imposed on 40-year-old Shaunville Burgess by the Springbok Regional Court following his conviction for the murder of his cousin, Jacques Ricardo Cloete, in Komaggas near Springbok.

Burgess was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment, of which two years were suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of an offence involving violence committed during the period of suspension. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The matter was successfully prosecuted by Regional Court Prosecutor Basil Kock. The court heard that the incident occurred on 03 June 2025 following a drinking session involving Burgess, Cloete and other community members.

On the day of the incident, Cloete and a friend had been running errands before purchasing alcohol and joining Cloete’s brother and another friend at a gathering under a carport near Cloete’s residence.

Burgess later joined the group but was asked by Cloete to leave. Despite the request, Burgess remained at the gathering.

Later, after more alcohol had been purchased and consumed, an argument broke out between Burgess and Cloete after Burgess interrupted Cloete while he was recording a voice note to his sister.

A physical altercation subsequently broke out between the two men.

The altercation escalated and continued until they reached the Alpha Eenheid shop, where Burgess pushed Cloete to the ground and repeatedly stabbed him with a knife before fleeing the scene.

Members of the community alerted the police, who attended the scene. A nurse from a local clinic was called and declared Cloete dead.

A post-mortem examination established that Cloete had sustained multiple stab wounds, including a penetrating wound to the neck, which was identified as the cause of death.

During the proceedings, Burgess admitted that he stabbed Cloete while he was angry and that his life was not in danger at the time, as Cloete was not armed with a dangerous weapon. He further admitted that, although he did not have the direct intention to kill Cloete, he foresaw that stabbing a person in the neck could result in death but nevertheless proceeded with his actions.

Burgess pleaded guilty to murder and was subsequently convicted.

In determining an appropriate sentence, the court found that substantial and compelling circumstances existed to justify a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence. These included that alcohol had been consumed, that a physical altercation had taken place between Burgess and Cloete, that Burgess was a first offender, and the circumstances surrounding the commission of the offence.

The NPA welcomes the sentence and reiterates that disagreements and interpersonal conflicts should never be resolved through violence. The consumption of alcohol cannot excuse violent conduct that results in the loss of life.

The NPA remains committed to prosecuting violent crimes without fear, favour or prejudice and to presenting strong cases before the courts to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable. Violence has devastating and lasting consequences for victims, families and communities, and the NPA will continue to pursue sentences that reflect the seriousness of such offences.

Issued by:

Mojalefa Senokoatsane

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Northern Cape Division