Northern Cape woman receives 20-year prison term for murdering boyfriend

The Fraserburg Regional Court has sentenced Lena De Wee (30) to 20 years’ direct imprisonment for murdering her life partner, Percy Van Wyk, the second time she has been convicted of killing a boyfriend.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson in the Northern Cape, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, said De Wee pleaded guilty to stabbing Van Wyk once in the chest during an argument at the home they shared in 2024. 

Senokoatsane said in December 2024, van Wyk came home, and the couple got into an argument. 

“De Wee became angry, took a knife and stabbed van Wyk in the chest. He died at the scene,” the NPA said. 

De Wee pleaded guilty to the charge. This was not her first offense. 

Senokoatsane said that in 2015 De Wee was convicted of killing her former boyfriend and was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment.

Victim Impact Statement

During aggravation of sentence, Regional Court Prosecutor Darryl Bromkamp presented a Victim Impact Statement, which highlighted the profound emotional and psychological trauma suffered by the deceased’s family following his death.

The statement was facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Majorie De Wee, who also assisted in preparing the witnesses ahead of the court proceedings.Prosecutor Bromkamp submitted that life is the most precious commodity and that the unlawful taking of life has devastating consequences for the loved ones left behind.

The State further argued that the accused ought to have known better, particularly given her previous conviction for a similar offence. The prosecution also relied on relevant case law, submitting that if the court were to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, such deviation should not be excessive.

The defence, however, requested the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, arguing that the accused is still relatively young, had pleaded guilty, and could still be rehabilitated.

In its judgment, the court found that substantial and compelling circumstances existed to justify a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence. Consequently, the accused was sentenced to 20 years’ direct imprisonment. She was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

IOL