A Knysna man has been sentenced to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of killing his lover almost 14 years ago.
Chelry Smith,45, was sentenced in the Knysna Regional Court on Monday.
He was found guilty of killing his lover, Hazel Georgina Shariefa Augustus in the early hours of December 23, 2012. She was 31 years at the time.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Western Cape said Smith was successfully prosecuted despite the absence of DNA and eyewitnesses.
The NPA said Smith denied the allegations against him and was successful in the Section 174 application to have assault charges against him dismissed.
NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said prosecutor Aspirito White led the evidence of six witnesses.
“The court heard that Smith and Augustus were in a romantic relationship for a month before her murder, and the day before her murder celebrated her mother’s 60th birthday.”
After the party, Smith was the last person seen with Augustus at a tavern.
“She was found dead and her cellphone missing. The cellphone which was switched off on the day of the murder and only switched on again on January 12, 2013 was found under the mattress where the accused stayed.”
In denying the murder charge, Smith told the court that he had been kissing the deceased under a tree, when he was attacked by a man named Ricardo, who broke his jaw.
Smith claims Ricardo had attacked him outside Job’s Tavern while he and the deceased were kissing.
Smith said he fled the scene and took Augustus’ cellphone with him.
“He said he ran away and went home to sleep without telling anyone about his attack.
“He returned to where he left the deceased, found her lying on her back and saw a knife handle lying in front of the deceased,’ Ntabazalila said.
Smith said he panicked because he was the last person to be seen with the deceased.
The State argued that Smith’s version contained numerous contradictions, inconsistencies and improbabilities and was not reasonably possibly true and should be rejected in total.
In addition to murder, Smith received 15 years for robbery.
Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Nicolette Bell welcomed the conviction and dedication of the prosecution.
“The case faced many challenges and was on the verge of being declared an inquest, but their tenacity helped to ensure justice for this family, despite the delays.”
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