Family members of a Clanwilliam school teacher, Allison Plaaitjies say they are satisfied with her killer’s punishment.
On Tuesday, the Western Cape High Court sentenced Phillip April to life behind bars for killing his ex-girlfriend in 2019.
April was no doubt hoping for a lighter sentence.
During the trial, the State rejected April’s guilty plea to murder and instead charged him with premeditated murder.
Judge Nonthuthuzelo Ralarala found no compelling evidence to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence.
She ruled that the circumstances of the case demand April’s permanent removal from society, and therefore she sentenced him to life behind bars.
Plaaitjies’s cousin Liesl says it’s been a difficult period for them.
“I know this won’t bring her back, but it feels like the weight has been lifted off our shoulders so that we can continue with our lives. I’m sick and tired of being said for a long time. Hopefully, this will end”
Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority says it’s happy that April will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalalila says they knew they had solid evidence against April.
“We knew and were convinced that this was the premeditated murder committed by someone who was possessive, jealous and a person who wanted to own the young woman, and couldn’t accept the rejection that the relationship was over between them”.
