Child killers must get life – call

sentenced to 13 years for the murder of her boyfriend’s three-year-old daughter, Lache Stols. She was sentenced to seven years for the abuse, two years will run concurrently, in effect serving 18 years’ jail time.

Lache was beaten to death with a belt and hand by Kleynhans. Kleynhans admitted that the abuse occurred over a period of four months. Lache died of blunt force trauma.

Meanwhile, the mother and stepfather of three-year-old Poppie van der Merwe were convicted of murder by the Gauteng High Court. Poppie and her five-year-old brother were abused over a period of eight months. Poppie died in October last year. Sentencing proceedings will start in February.

Also in court is Abigail Ruiters, and her boyfriend, Ameerudien Peters, charged with the rape and murder of 18-month-old Jeremiah Ruiters.

According to testimony, the child suffered abuse over a period of time.

Murders and child murders are treated under the same law and the minimum prescribed sentence is 15 years’ imprisonment.

Tigtened

Child rights activist are proposing that legislation is tightened especially when the murder is an end result of abuse of over a period.

Valdi Van Reenen-Le Roux, director at the Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture, said a life sentence was needed.