The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena and the Director for Public Prosecution, Advocate (Dr) Makhari-Sekhaolelo welcome two life terms handed down to a 36-year-old Boitshoko Abednigo Swanepoel by the North West High Court in Mmabatho on Tuesday, 09 May 2023.
Swanepoel was sentenced for the double murder of his ex-girlfriend and latter’s mother. He was also sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for each of the two attempted murder charges. This is after he attempted to kill his then two-year-old daughter and his ex-girlfriend’s brother. The shooting incident happened on Tuesday, 25 September 2018.
It was reported at the time of the incident that Swanepoel went to his then ex-girlfriend’s (29) house at Lonely Park outside Mahikeng to speak with her regarding a court interdict issued against him. An argument ensued between Swanepoel and the then 52-year-old girlfriend’s mother. The convict then took out a firearm and shot the ex-girlfriend, the mother and their daughter. Upon hearing the gun sound, the ex-girlfriend’s brother went to check at the house, but Swanepoel also shot at him. The two-year-old daughter was rushed to Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg with serious injuries.
After the shooting incident, Swanepoel fled the scene, and police searched for him until he was arrested on Friday, 28 September 2018, at Setlagole village outside Mahikeng. He has been behind the bars ever since his arrest in September 2018.
Swanepoel was found guilty as charged and sentenced as follows:
2 Counts of murder: 2 life sentences
2 Counts of attempted murder:10 years jail term each . The court ordered that all sentences imposed will run concurrently with the two life imprisonment. Swanepoel was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000).
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Kwena, applauded Mahikeng Flying Squad Unit, Detective Unit, especially the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Kebaabetswe Chabaemang and business watch who assisted the police in effecting the arrest. He also thanked the Prosecuotor Advocate Goloda for his cooperation with other role players for the meticulous handling of the matter and subsequent securing of the conviction. Meanwhile, the Advocate (Dr) Makhari-Sekhaolelo expressed her gratitude towards the securing of the conviction which she attributed to collaborations of the South African Police Service (SAPS), National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI). She said that the sentence will definitely send a clear message that crime, including Gender Based Violence (GBV), will not be tolerated.