‘Justice has been served’
THE LOVED ones of Richard Booysen, who died last year after being stabbed 12 times, yesterday welcomed the 18-year sentence handed down to his murderer by the Northern Cape High Court.
Booysen’s cousins, Nomvusi Mbalo and Bulelwa Goddas, as well as his girlfriend, Ntombi Kwayi, said they believed that justice had been served following the sentencing of Thapelo Neels.
“We are very happy with the sentencing although it will not bring back Richard. Justice has, however, been served on the person who killed him and he will now have to sit for what he has done.
“We are very grateful to the investigating officer who kept us up to date with the progress of the investigation. We heard so many versions on the streets about what happened on that day but he kept us in the loop and we did not bother to listen to all the stories.”
They added that they did not know Neels. “We do not know him but he committed a horrible crime and robbed us of a wonderful person. Richard was not a violent person and he did not deserve to die in this manner.”
They stated that it would take time to forgive Neels for what he had done.
“Our cousin was stabbed multiple times ... he had stab wounds all over his body. He was stabbed inside the shanty where he ran into to seek refuge. We are currently not in a position to forgive Neels but we might eventually do so as time passes. We need to carry on with our lives and cannot carry the hatred with us forever.
“We hope Neels will see the wrongfulness of his actions as he not only robbed us of a family member but also took away the father of a seven-year-old child.
“We understand he is still young but he will hopefully repent for what he has done to us.”