Jerobejin Van Wyk murder case: Sentencing due for Monday
The 58-year-old man - Daniel Smit - killed 13-year-old Jerobejin Van Wyk in Klawer in February 2022, after accusing him and a friend of stealing fruit from his property.
Murder accused Daniel Smit in the Vredendal Magistrates Court on 29 Octiber 2024. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/EWN
CAPE TOWN - Arguments in aggravation and mitigation of sentence wrapped up in the High Court sitting in Vredendal in the case against Klawer child killer, Daniel Smit.
The 58-year-old man killed 13-year-old Jerobejin Van Wyk in Klawer in February 2022, after accusing him and a friend of stealing fruit from his property.
The court on Monday found him guilty on charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, violating a corpse and defeating the ends of justice.
Sentencing has been set down for Monday.
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The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) 's Eric Ntabazalila explained the NPA's request to the court.
"Basically, the defence is asking for the accused to be sentenced to 30 years. We have opposed what they have asked for, and argued that there is no other sentence that fits this crime other than life imprisonment because if you impose 30 years, it means after serving, he will be eligible for parole which means he will be out in 22 years."
Smit submitted two letters to the court on Tuesday, where he apologises to Jerobejin's loved ones and asks for forgiveness.
The court also heard he wanted to give his bakkie - the same vehicle he had used to knock the child down with before killing him - to Jerobejin's mother, to sell or to use.
The bakkie is still in the possession of Klawer police.