20 FEBRUARY 2026

GUESTHOUSE OWNER CONVICTED AND SENTENCED FOR DOUBLE MURDER OF GUEST COUPLE 

The Gqeberha Regional Court has sentenced Kareedouw guesthouse owner, Kevin Pretorius (53), to an effective 10-year term of direct imprisonment following his conviction on two counts of murder. Pretorius was found guilty in January 2025 for the deaths of Mari Hoon (28) and her fiancé, Jean Vosloo (25), who succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning while staying at his Kliphuis Guesthouse in April 2020. 

20 FEBRUARY 2026

KURUMAN REGIONAL COURT SENTENCES MAN TO 15 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR HOUSEBREAKING WITH INTENT TO RAPE AND RAPE 

Kuruman, Northern Cape – The Kuruman Regional Court has sentenced Tshepo Tumaeletse (28) of Ganap village near Kuruman to 15 years’ imprisonment for housebreaking with intent to rape and rape. 

20 FEBRUARY 2026 

LIFE SENTENCES IMPOSED FOR TRIPLE MURDER IN FICKSBURG 

Ficksburg, Free State – The Ficksburg Regional Court has sentenced Raleboga Johannes Morapedi(36) to three terms of life imprisonment following his conviction on three counts of premeditated murder. The convictions relate to an incident that occurred on 31 March 2024. 

20 FEBRUARY 2026 

CARNARVON REGIONAL COURT SENTENCES WOMAN TO 20 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR MURDER OF INTIMATE PARTNER 

Carnarvon, Northern Cape – The Carnarvon Regional Court has sentenced Magda van der Westhuizen(47) to 20 years’ direct imprisonment for the murder of her partner of 11 years, 37-year-old Ricardo de Klerk. Vân der Westhuizen pleaded guilty to the charge of murder. 

20 February 2026

THE STATE SEEKS FIVE LIFE TERMS AND 76 YEARS DIRECT IMPRISONMENT FOR THE MURDERER 

20 February 2026

NPA CONSIDERS APPEALING THE PRECEDENT SETTING DEFAMATION JUDGMENT

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has noted with concern the judgment delivered by Acting Judge Molony before the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, Makhanda on 17 February 2026. The judgment follows a civil claim of defamation instituted by a member of parliament representing the Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape, Mr Mlindi Nhanha relating to a criminal case dating back to April 2021.

19 February 2026

MAN SENTENCED FOR THE MURDER OF JEFFREY’S BAY GOOD SAMARITAN