A dispute over a cigarette culminated in a fatal stabbing last year, leading to a decade-long prison sentence for the perpetrator this week.
Jannie Booysen (43) was convicted and sentenced to ten years’ direct imprisonment for murder by the De Aar Regional Court on Monday, 24 November 2025.
The conviction relates to the death of 56-year-old Johan Malieke. The court heard that the incident occurred on the evening of Thursday, 14 November 2024, at approximately 21:15 in the Malaykamp area of Sunrise, De Aar. An altercation broke out between Booysen and Malieke, which escalated when Booysen stabbed the elderly man.
Following the incident, the matter was reported to the South African Police Service. Their prompt response led to the swift arrest of Booysen. The suspect made several court appearances as the state worked to finalise the case against him.