Ceres man handed life sentence after beating girlfriend and leaving her to die

CAPE TOWN - A Ceres man has been sentenced to life imprisonment after he confessed to beating up his girlfriend and leaving her in the vineyards of a farm in the Cape Winelands town.

The victim was 23-years-old.

This is the second court case this week, in which a man was handed a life sentence for gender-based violence.

Earlier this week, the Mossel Bay Regional Court sentenced a man to life behind bars after he pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl.
 
The court heard that Jannie Oerson and Janine Kayster were in a four-year relationship characterised by domestic violence.

READ: Man handed life sentence after pleading guilty rape, murder southern Cape girl

The couple was heading home through the vineyards of a farm in Ceres, after attending a social gathering in November 2022.

They started arguing and the accused picked up a stick and assaulted the deceased.

He arrived home and informed someone that he had beaten the 23-year-old and left her on the farm.

Kayster's body was later discovered by police and Oerson was arrested.

Two victim impact statements prepared by the deceased's mother and sister revealed that she had a protection order against the accused, but withdrew it in 2021 as she was terrified of him.

They described him as a possessive boyfriend who did not want the deceased to spend time with her family.