ABERDEEN NEWS — The Supreme Court of Appeal has sentenced Winston Booysen from Aberdeen to life imprisonment for the murder of farmer Schalk Featherstone.
In March 2017, Booysen was found guilty of three serious offenses: murdering his 20-year-old girlfriend Brenda Finnis in Lotusville in December 2015; murdering elderly farmer Schalk Featherstone five days later, and stealing Featherstone's bakkie.
In May 2017, he was sentenced to 15 years for the murder of Finnis (count one), 15 years for the murder of Featherstone (count two), and 8 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances for taking Featherstone's vehicle (count three).
The last two sentences were to run consecutively, giving an effective sentence of 30 years.
This sentencing was appealed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, on the grounds that the trial court failed to impose prescribed minimum sentences on the second count of murder (of Featherstone) and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
It was claimed that minimum sentences of life imprisonment and 15 years' imprisonment respectively should have been imposed.
The matter was heard in the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein in February.
Acting Judge of Appeal Ashton Schippers delivered his judgement on February 23. He found that the sentences imposed on counts two and three were inappropriate.
Having found that there were no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify the imposition of a lesser sentence, he stated that the trial court was obliged to impose life imprisonment on count two and 15 years' imprisonment on count three.
Featherstone's daughter, Jeanine Ihlenfeldt, is delighted that the case can finally be laid to rest.
"The last 27 months have been extremely hard on my husband and children, and I would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart for always standing by me through this very sad time in my life!" she also thanked the Aberdeen farmers for their support, as well as the police from Specialised Crime in Port Elizabeth, who have become their family.
"Now that justice has been served, we can focus on ensuring that my Dad's written wishes are fulfilled," she concluded.
'We bring you the latest Graaff-Reinet, Karoo news'
