Windhoek High Court Judge Claudia Claasen on Friday sentenced a man she convicted of murder with direct intent to an effective prison term of 33 years.
The judge convicted Shaun Tieties (39) of murder, read with the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and attempting to defeat the course of justice, on his own admissions.
She sentenced him to 33 years for murder, two years for assault, and three years for defeating. She, however, ordered that the sentences should run concurrently.
Tieties was convicted of killing Susanna Tierspoor by stabbing her at least 36 times with a sheep shear all over her body on 30 September 2021 at Farm Lekkerwater in the Mariental district. He further admitted injuring the deceased’s six-year-old son during the frenzied attack, and disposing of the shears and a bloody t-shirt. The attack happened in the presence of the deceased’s then 12-year-old daughter and her six-year-old brother. Tieties, while he did not testify, allegedly killed her after she broke off their three-year relationship by text.
Judge Claasen said the deceased was killed and her children orphaned, just because she dared to express her desire to end the relationship.
“Fuelled by anger, he travelled for 41 kilometres to go and deal with the breakup and show that if he can’t have her, no one else will have her,” the judge remarked.
She further said what makes this murder more despicable is the fact that it was committed by an intimate life partner in front of her two minor children. Both children experienced an extremely traumatic event, and it is a memory and a loss that they now must bear for a lifetime, the judge stated.
She further said life partners are trusted by the women and children who allow them into their lives, but these same men become perpetrators of the worst kind.
“The killing of women by their intimate partners represents not only an ultimate betrayal of trust, but also one of the worst manifestations of gender-based violence in the country,” Judge Claasen lamented.
She went on to say that a serious crime such as this requires that retribution and deterrence come to the fore, while rehabilitation must take a backseat. This, she said, is because societal interest commands that serious crimes warrant serious sentences. She said there is no doubt that the deceased died an extremely brutal, violent and sadistic death, and for this, the accused cannot avoid a lengthy custodial sentence. The court must protect the citizens and society at large against the scourge of violence ,and must transmit a clear message that horrid acts such as these will not be tolerated, Judge Claasen stressed. She further said the accused showed no remorse, and his guilty plea was because he had no other option, given the overwhelming evidence against him. The State was represented by Maria Shilongo, and the accused by Legal Aid lawyer Cliff Simataa.