A North West man has been sentenced to life in prison plus additional terms for attacking his ex-girlfriend and killing her 10-year-old daughter.
PHOTO: Thulani Mbele, Gallo Images/Sowetan
- A North West man has been convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend’s 10-year-old daughter and other offences.
- iHe first attacked the child’s mother and her sister.
- After being arrested for assault and escaping from custody, he killed the child.
A North West man has been sentenced to life in prison and additional terms in prison for a series of events that began with the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend in 2020 and ended with the murder of her 10-year-old daughter in 2021.
Joseph Feige, 39, was sentenced to life in prison for murder, five years for kidnapping and 15 years for attempted murder after pleading guilty at Klerksdorp Regional Court.
Outlining the background, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Henry Mamatam said Feige went to see his ex-girlfriend Betty Sithole in June 2020. Their child was living with him and her grandmother at the time, and Sithole told him to take the child home.
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“Instead of taking the baby away, Feige started crying and begging Betty to forgive him and let their affair continue. Betty then refused the offer and Feige took out a knife and stabbed her while she was carrying their child,” Mamathame said.
Her sister tried to intervene but was also stabbed and clubbed on the shoulder. Sithole was stabbed several times before Phage fled the scene.
He was arrested on August 9, 2021, but escaped from custody on November 4.
While he was at large, the body of Sithole’s daughter, Kamagela Sithole, was found in his hut in Sonderwater informal settlement, near Potchefstroom.
He was arrested again three days after his escape.
“Feig is believed to have kidnapped a 10-year-old girl, Betty, from an elementary school in Ikagengu and taken her to an unknown location. After the disappearance of the child, the mother reported the abduction to the local police station. He was arrested because he could not reveal the whereabouts of a child for whom he was not the biological father,” Mamathame added.
Director of Public Prosecutions North West Rachel Mahari Sehaolela said: “We are pleased with the co-operation of the prosecutor and the investigating officer in ensuring the smooth running of this case. The protection of women and children is something that the criminal justice system will never compromise on.”
