| 2024/09/19 |
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Media Statement WESTERN CAPE – The Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen (Adv.) Thembisile Patekile commended the efforts of the investigating officer who went the extra mile in an attempt to ensure the conviction and sentencing of Jacobus Barendse and Ashley Robert Diergal. Reports reveal that on 24 February 2019, the body of the victim Reginald Arthur Gordon was discovered in his room at a premises in Enslin Street, Strand. The victim had multiple stab wounds to his neck. Colonel Eddie Clark attached to the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit was assigned as the investigating officer of the case. The meticulous investigation led to the recovery of the Isuzu bakkie that was stolen at the crime scene. The investigating officer with the help of Detective Warrant Officer Estelle Wessenaar followed up all the leads at their disposal in a bid to ensure a breakthrough. After interviewing potential witnesses, a suspect was identified and the investigating officers worked around the clock. Their persistence was rewarded when they arrested the suspect on 26 February 2019, which paved the way for the arrest of an accomplice. The two suspects made their first court appearances on 28 February 2019 in the Strand Magistrates’ court on charges of murder, robbery aggravated and for defeating the ends of the justice. The matter was subsequently transferred to the Western Cape High Court. Both the accused blamed each other for the murder and took no accountability thereof. On Thursday 22 August 2024, after more than five and half years, both suspects were found guilty of the mentioned charges. On Thursday 19 September 2024 in the Western Cape High Court, Barendse and Ashley were sentenced to life imprisonment each for the murder charge, 15 years on the robbery aggravated and eight years for defeating the ends of the justice.
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