Poppie’s murderers gets life

Brits – Kobus Koekemoer (45) and his wife Louisa van der Merwe (47) were handed five life sentences bringing an end to a painful episode in the murder and abuse of the then 3-year old Poppie van der Merwe.

The pair was sentenced on 24 May before the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. The North West provincial commissioner, lieutenant general Baile Motswenyane welcomed the sentencing.

Lieutenant colonel Pelonomi Makau said the sentence came after Kobus’ arrest in October 2016 for murder. It was reported at the time of the incident that the accused murdered his step-daughter by assaulting her several times at their home in Mamogaleskraal near Brits. The child was taken to hospital where she was declared dead on arrival.

The accused’s wife, Louisa was arrested on 15 December 2016 after the court had ordered the police to arrest and charge her as an accomplice to the murder. The two was supposed to be sentenced on 28 February 2018 but the case was postponed due to Kobus Koekemoer’s ill health.

The murder of Poppie is one of the most shocking cases involving the abuse and killing of children in South Africa.