The Phillipstown Regional Court has sentenced Samuel Pieters to 30 years’ direct imprisonment for the murder of 11-month-old Aidan Booysen.
The 24-year-old has pushed the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to call on communities to speak out against violence and support victims in seeking justice.
According to the NPA Regional Spokesperson, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, this case exposes the devastating impact of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), which continues to plague communities and often leaves the most vulnerable, including children, exposed to extreme harm.
“The NPA remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring that perpetrators of such heinous crimes are held accountable and that justice is served for victims and their families.
“The NPA will continue to work closely with its criminal justice partners to combat GBVF through effective prosecution, victim-centred approaches, and advocacy aimed at strengthening public confidence in the justice system,” said Senokoatsane.
Before he pleaded guilty to the charge of murder, the learnt that on 30 November 2024, Pieters went to his girlfriend’s residence, where an argument ensued between them.
Later that day, the girlfriend placed her infant child on her back to put him to sleep.
The accused then attacked the girlfriend with a cricket bat while she was carrying the infant.
During the assault, the accused struck the child on the head, resulting in fatal injuries. Police and emergency services were summoned, and the child was later declared deceased at the hospital.
“In aggravation of sentence, Prosecutor Kagisho Phagana Marame presented a Victim Impact Statement facilitated by Trott Manghana, which detailed the profound emotional and psychological trauma suffered by the child’s mother.
“The court found that although the accused was a first offender and had pleaded guilty factors that constitute substantial and compelling circumstances the seriousness of the offence warranted a lengthy custodial sentence.”
Meanwhile, the Regional Court sitting in Fraserburg has sentenced Gert Johannes, to 22 years’ direct imprisonment for the murder of his girlfriend, Lee Ann Mostert. The matter of Mostert, who died at the age of 21-year-old, is categorised as a gender based violence (GBV) case.
The 33-year-old entered into a Section 105A plea and sentencing agreement with the State, which resulted in a sentence of 22 years’ direct imprisonment.
The court heard that on 6 April 2025, an altercation arose between the accused and the deceased after she confronted him about allegedly taking her Black Label beer.
During the confrontation, the accused slapped the deceased, who retaliated. The situation escalated when the accused armed himself with a knife and stabbed the deceased three times. He then poured boiling water over her before ultimately strangling her to death.
The NPA continues to emphasise that it is committed to ensuring that perpetrators of violent crimes, particularly those committed against women, are held accountable and that justice is served for victims and their families.
“The importance of protecting human life cannot be overstated, and the NPA will continue to pursue such matters with vigour to ensure accountability and serve as a deterrent.”
