On Friday, 3 February, Sandile Vaaiboom (35) was handed three life sentences in the Kimberley High Court for three counts of murder, and five years each for two counts of malicious damage to property.
Sgt Timothy Sam, communication officer of the police in Galeshewe, said Vaaiboom was on trial for fatally stabbing and killing three family members, namely Petrus Vaaiboom (64), Kerileng Kgatlane (54) and Vuyisile Vaaiboom (45), who was a police member in Delportshoop.
On 19 March 2022, the accused not only committed murder but also broke into a house and damaged a vehicle’s windows.
The provincial commissioner of the Northern Cape police, Lt Gen. Koliswa Otola, welcomed this sentence that was secured by the investigating officer, Det. Sgt Raphael Khoboko.
Otola commended the police for their meticulous and professional investigation.
- In another unrelated case, three life sentences were recently handed down to Jason Obakeng Witbooi (28) for raping three girls who were respectively 11, 12 and 14 years old
During school hours on 7 November 2016, the three victims decided to leave the school premises and went to play in the veld next to their school in Kimberley.
The girls were followed by the accused who threatened them and raped them, before fleeing the scene.
The scene was investigated with a fine-tooth comb and evidence was collected by the Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management unit.
Lt Col Sergio Kock, media spokesperson, said the evidence was sent for forensic testing. The suspect was positively identified through DNA linkages and arrested on 4 October 2020.
During the court proceedings, police opposed bail and Witbooi remained in custody until he was handed down the three life sentences on 31 January in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court.
Commenting on the sentence, Otola reiterated that gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) is one of the priorities for Northern Cape police.
Otola lauded WO Shaniel Antonie of the Kimberley Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit for her meticulous investigation that led to these life sentences.
“May this be a stern warning to criminals who intend on committing similar crimes that no impunity will be granted to perpetrators of GBVF in the Northern Cape,” Otola said.
