by frank Utonga
The Kimberley high court has sentenced a 36-year-old man to two life terms for the murder of his girlfriend and their 11-month-old daughter.
Michael Pieterson was also sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for defeating the ends of justice.
“Pieterson was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend Kantsi Mokgele and the little baby Neo Mokgele,” said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane.
“After killing them, he burnt them and dumped their remains in the veld near Windsorton. They were found by a passerby, burnt beyond recognition [and] hidden under trees in May 2019.”
Prosecutor Ronewa Makhaga argued in court that Pieterson had inflicted horrid injuries on the deceased before killing them.
It was also revealed in court that Mokgele was stabbed several times in the face, body and stomach, and then burnt alive.
“Furthermore, Pieterson stabbed their baby to death and she also sustained facial stab wounds,” said Senokoatsane.
“Acting judge Willem Coetzee pointed out that in spite of Pieterson being given a second chance when he was released on parole, he returned to society to commit more serious crimes.”