Nelspruit: The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court which was sitting on Wednesday, 02 November 2022 in Delmas, has sentenced Watson Christopher Graham (34) to life imprisonment for the murder of Angelique Fourie (27).

The gruesome murder took place at the deceased’s residence in Trichardt near Secunda on 11 November 2021. It was revealed in court that the victim was with her neighbour when Graham forcefully entered her house and started assaulting both of them physically.

The neighbour managed to flee but Fourie was overpowered and fatally stabbed in the neck by Graham. The accused then abandoned the victim’s body inside the house before setting the house alight. On the police and other stakeholders’ arrival, the fire was extinguished and Fourie’s body was retrieved however the paramedics unfortunately certified her dead on the scene.

A case of murder with an additional charge of assault was registered and two days later Graham handed himself to the police. He had his court appearances whilst in custody till he was handed a life imprisonment for murder as well as three years imprisonment for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the sentence with the hope that it will serve as a deterrence to others who might consider emulating the actions of the accused. The General also vehemently condemned gender based violence in society.

Source: South African Police Service