Cape Town - Days after mastermind killer Ashley October was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his ex-wife Charlene October, her family was still in turmoil and struggling to come to terms with their grief.
On Friday at the Western Cape High Court, Judge Roshenie Allie handed a life sentence to October, who plotted and planned the demise of his former wife and mother of two of his children since 2011.
He had been unsuccessful in previous attempts.
During 2021 he was able to rope in the help of his former employee and co-accused, Taswell van der Rheede, with the promise of financial compensation.
The duo were each found guilty on charges that included incitement to rob and murder, conspiracy to rob and murder, housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder and attempt to defeat the administration of justice.
Charlene October was found murdered at her Elim home on July 12, 2021 by her son Ethan Telemachus.
The murder was staged as a suicide and robbery.
Following the sentencing, Charlene’s brother Kevin Jooste, posted a heart-wrenching message of the family’s struggle with grief and unanswered questions as Ashley had not taken the stand to give testimony during the trial.
“Hoe koud is n mens se hart as hy jou hand vat op die dag van die begrafnis en simpatiseer oor die verlies van jou suster met daai selfde hand wat deel was van die hande wat haar lewe so wreed van haar af weg geneem het?
[How cold can a person be if he takes your hand on the day of the funeral and sympathise over the loss of your sister with that same hands that were used to brutally take away her life?]
“Hoe koud is n mens se hart as hy vir jou se ek moet sterk wees vir my Ma terwyl hy die rede is dat my (ma) se hart en siel stukkend is oor die verlies van haar dogter wat hy van haar af weggeneem het.
[How cold is a person’s heart if he tells you to be strong for your mother while he knew he was the reason that my mother’s heart and soul were broken over the loss of her daughter, who he had ripped away from her?],” wrote Jooste.
Charlene’ sister, Alicia Jooste, said the grief was still raw and while they were happy with the sentencing, “it would not bring my sister back”.
“Her children and family are still very hurt. We are still struggling to process her death and the grief follows us daily like a dark cloud,” said Alicia.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, said: “This successful prosecution is another indicator of a concerted effort of the NPA in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide. It is another indicator of our efforts to deal with the gruesome crimes that have come out of the Bredasdorp/ Elim area including the murder of Anene Booysen.”
Cape Times