The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has sentenced Paul Philipps Prinsloo (63) to an effective 25 years imprisonment for two counts of premeditated murder of his 58-year-old wife Magdalenne Prinsloo and 34 year old stepdaughter Ruzanna Prinsloo in Hartbeespoort.
Prinsloo was sentenced on Monday, 24 March for the murder of his 58-year-old wife and 34-year-old stepdaughter.
HARTBEESPOORT MAN SENTENCED FOR THE MURDER OF HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTER
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the couple, the stepdaughter and a 6-year-old granddaughter were staying together at Kosmo village in Hartbeespoort. On 27 November 2023, Paul was at his home sitting outside the house visited by his friend when an argument ensued between him, the wife and stepdaughter.
Thereafter, Prinsloo went upstairs to his room, fetched his firearm and allegedly shot his stepdaughter, when she fell, he allegedly proceeded to shoot the wife. Thereafter, he went to fetch a bible and placed it on top of the wife’s body.
“After realising that the two were deceased. A friend took the grandchild with him and called the police and told them about the incident. Prinsloo was arrested the same day on the scene and has been in custody since the NPA successfully opposed his release on bail,” NPA spokesperson in Gauteng Lumka Mahanjana said.
ELDERLY MAN PLEADS FOR A LIGHTER SENTENCE
Mahanjana said in court, Prinsloo pleaded guilty to murder not premeditated murder of the two, however the state prosecutor, Advocate Bongani Khoza was able to provide evidence to prove that the murders were indeed premeditated.
Additionally, during sentencing proceedings through his legal representation, Prinsloo asked the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentence because of his age and ill-health. He also asked the court to consider the fact that he has already spent more than a year in custody awaiting finalisation of his matter.
“However, Advocate Khoza argued for life imprisonment and told the court that Paul only pleaded guilty because the state had overwhelming evidence against him and that he committed serious offences of Gender Based Violence (GBV) which is not only prevalent in this jurisdiction but the country as a whole. He added that the courts need to put a stop to this by imposing an appropriate sentence,” Mahanjana explained.
When handing down the sentence, Judge Mashudu Munzhelele found that there were substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment because of his age, he showed remorse by offering finances to the grandchild and that he is terminally ill.
DO YOU THINK THE SENTENCE HANDED DOWN BY THE COURT WAS APPROPRIATE FOR PAUL PRINSLOO?
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