WESTERN CAPE - After a thorough investigation and the subsequent appearance of a perpetrator in the Western Cape High Court yesterday, Jerome Cupido, alias “Rompie”, was charged and sentenced for the murder of 12-year-old Aseef Mitchell.

In April 2018, the accused and another male went to a house in Short Street in Athlone to purchase drugs. The owner of the house was not at home. The child and the complainants, Samuel Brown and Clint Sholtz, were sitting around an open fire in the front yard when the two arrived.

The accused enquired about and purchased drugs from Brown, who went into the house to fetch it.  When he returned and handed the drugs to the accused, the accused took out a firearm and started to shoot at the child and the complainants. They sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to hospital. Aseef Mitchell died the same evening in hospital.

Cupido was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

For attempted murder he was sentenced to eight years imprisonment. In addition to the two attempted murders, he received another eight years. On the count of possession of a firearm, the court ordered him 15 years, and for possession of ammunition, 18 months.

The Western Cape SAPS welcomed the sentence, stating that it sends a strong message to criminals. The investigation and prosecution teams were commended for ensuring the accused was brought to book. SAPS further said it undertakes to maintain a zero-tolerance approach in the combatting and investigation of crime.

Editor: Anchen Coetzee
Subeditor: Wahl Lessing
Submitted by: Capt FC Van Wyk