Gqeberha parolee sentenced to 15 years for Christmas Day murder - IOL
Donoven Carolus has been sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment for a murder he committed on Christmas Day in 2024.
An Eastern Cape parolee has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment in the Gqeberha Regional Court for a murder on Christmas Day in 2024.
Donoven Carolus, 57, was convicted for the murder of Elston Bain and the attempted murder of his friend in the Jacksonville township.
The court heard that the deceased had gone to his friend’s place to wish him a merry Christmas. He was with another friend and his sister in the car. As he was exiting his vehicle at Brasilwood Street, he was approached by Carolus, who shot him in the head without saying a word. When the deceased’s friend came out of the car, Carolus shot at him too, before fleeing the scene. The deceased’s sister and the friend managed to identify the shooter.
Carolus was at large until his arrest on January 5, 2025, when the deceased’s sister saw him casually walking past Bethelsdorp police station. The court heard she immediately informed police and described him by his visible scar as the man who shot her brother. Carolus was arrested. It was revealed that Carolus was on parole at the time of the murder.
During the trial, Carolus pleaded not guilty and called his wife as his alibi witness.
However, the overwhelming evidence was the complainant in the attempted murder charge, the sister of the deceased, as well as the ballistic report linking the firearm to the crime.
Regional Court Prosecutor Cheswin King revealed that Carolus had previously been convicted and sentenced for two murders.
“The pattern demonstrates a persistent and profound regard of the sanctity of human life and the authority of law. “How many lives must be placed at risk, and how many opportunities for rehabilitation must fail before the interests of society are given their proper weight?” King submitted.
King called for the court to sentence Carolus to 25 years’ imprisonment.
However, the court found that Carolus' advanced age as well as his chronic medical condition were compelling exceptional circumstances for deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence.
The court sentenced Carolus to 15 years' imprisonment for murder and attempted murder; he was further sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, ordered to run concurrently.
Director of Public Prosecutions in the Eastern Cape, Advocate Samkelo Mtwana, welcomed the sentence and said it demonstrates the criminal justice system's firm stance against violent crime and lawlessness.
"This sentence sends a strong message that acts of violence have no place in our communities. The NPA remains committed to ensuring that perpetrators of serious violent crimes are held accountable and that justice is delivered for victims and their families,” Mtwana said.
