The SAPS Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola and her management is delighted and welcomed the life imprisonment sentence handed down by the Kimberley High Court to 56-year-old, Derrick Fyvers following the senseless killing of a 29-year-old male victim in Verwoerd Park in Kimberley on Thursday, 08 September 2016.

The Court heard that the accused and his accomplice approached a well-known guesthouse in Green Street in Verwoerd Park, pretending to be guests who are looking for accommodation with the intent robbing the guesthouse at gun point.

The deceased who was awoken by a commotion and the screaming of the receptionist, was fatally shot when he went to investigate.

The accused, Derrick Fyvers, a repeat offender was found guilty by on Monday, 09 September 2024 and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances; life imprisonment for murder; 10 years’ imprisonment for possession of an illegal firearm and additional 10 years’ imprisonment
for possession of ammunition.

His accomplice, 40 year old Marlon Koopman was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances.

All sentences will run concurrently with the life sentence.

Both suspects were declared unfit to possess firearms.

Lieutenant General Otola praised the Serious and Violent Crimes Investigating Officers, Detective Lt Colonel Basil Buys and Detective Warrant Officer Patrick Dibebe for their thorough and meticulous investigation of the case ensuring the lifelong incarceration of the accused Derrick Fyvers.

The police remain focused in ensuring that justice is served for victims of violent crimes by strengthening investigative capacity of the police.

The police are encouraging the public to rate the police efforts in fighting crime by participating in the “RATE OUR SERVICE” online survey to assist the police in improving services.

Source: South African Police Service