Wife-killer gets life for brutal panga murder

Update

GEORGE NEWS - Clutching a wedding photo, wife-killer Rodney Witbooi (36) left the George Circuit High Court on Monday 10 November to begin his life sentence in a maximum security prison elsewhere in the country.

After a three-week trial, Witbooi was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife, Soneé, whom he hacked to death with a panga in their Loerie Park home in 2022.

The 28-year-old woman sustained at least 13 chop wounds to her head and face, as well as several other panga-inflicted wounds to her hands and arms.

Witbooi was also handed down 15 years for a charge of attempted rape stemming from an incident in Pacaltsdorp in 2020, 15 years for the attempted murder of his sister-in-law, Charndrei le Roux, three months for drug-related charges and seven years for housebreaking to commit a crime. All these sentences will run concurrently with the one of life. Witbooi has also been declared unfit to possess a firearm.

During sentencing, Judge André le Grange said he couldn't find any substantial or compelling evidence to deviate from the minimum prescribed sentence of life on the charge of murder, and that Witbooi's brutality overshadows any personal factors. "He is a danger to society," said Le Grange.

He described Witbooi's actions as meticulously planned and brutal, empha-sising that gender-based violence and femicide continue to plague South Africa.

Le Grange added that Witbooi hadn't shown any remorse for his actions.

"The accused changed his plea [not guilty to guilty on the murder charge] before he closed his case; however, with the alarming nature of evidence stacked against him, he was compelled to do so. This does not show remorse."

Witbooi is also not a first offender. He has had repeated run-ins with the law and has a history that demonstrates a pattern of violent behaviour.

Charmaine le Roux with the last photo she and Soneé took together. Le Grange said the impact on Soneé's family has been immense, especially on her sister, who had to witness an almost incomprehensible act of brutality.

Her mother, Charmaine le Roux, is crushed and feels endless guilt for allowing Witbooi into her family.

"We waited almost three years for the sentencing and can only say thank you that justice has been served," she said.

She said during this time, apart from having to deal with the terrible loss of her daughter, she also had to read all the negative comments people posted on Facebook.

"We chose not to respond, because our sunshine child was worth more than that. It won't bring her back, but now she can rest in peace, and we, too, will find some comfort. There will always be sadness and tears for her. Our hearts go out to Rodney's family. And to Rodney, we can only say that on the Day of Judgement, your lies won't stand. God does not sleep."

The investigating officer, Sergeant Badikazi Nonyukela, and State Prosecutor Adv Evadné Kortje after the sentencing of Rodney Witbooi. Photos: Kristy Kolberg