(Photo: Rhewal/ Jhua-Nine Wyrley-Birch)
On Tuesday, 36-year-old Boitchoko Abednigo Swanepoel was given two life sentences in the High Court in Mmabatho, North West, for the double murder of his ex-girlfriend and her mother.
He was also sentenced to a further ten years in prison after trying to kill his two-year-old daughter and his ex-girlfriend’s brother.
The incident took place on 25 September 2018 at his ex-girlfriend’s house in Lonely Park outside Mahikeng.
Lt. Col. Amanda Funani, police spokesperson, says Swanepoel went to his ex-girlfriend’s house that day to talk to her about a court order against him. An exchange of words ensued between him and his ex-girlfriend’s 52-year-old mother.
“Swanepoel then pulled out his firearm and shot his ex-girlfriend, her mother and their two-year-old daughter,” says Funani.
“The ex-girlfriend’s brother heard the gunshot and went to investigate at the house, where Swanepoel then shot at him as well.”
The two-year-old was rushed to Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg with serious injuries.
“Swanepoel fled the scene after the shooting and the police arrested him on September 28 in the Setlagole settlement at Mahikeng. He has been behind bars since his arrest.”
Swanepoel was found guilty on two charges of murder, for which he was sentenced to two life sentences, and two charges of attempted murder, for which he was sentenced to ten years in prison. The court ordered that the two life sentences be served concurrently.
He was further declared incompetent to possess a firearm in terms of section 103 of the Firearms Control Act (Act no. 60 of 2000).
Lt. Gen. Sello Kwena, the provincial police commissioner in the North West, and the director of public prosecutions, Dr. Rachel Makhari-Sekhaolelo, welcomed the sentences.
