Justice served: 27 years for the killer of Ruwayda Van Der Rheede
Matthew Yu has been sentenced at the Magistrates' Regional Court to 27 years for the murder of 18-year-old Ruwayda Van Der Rheede which took place in 2019.
Image: Genevieve Serra
Provincial police together with the Community Policing Forum (CPF) have praised the detective and state prosecutor for their work done in securing a 27 year sentence for a man who murdered an 18-year-old girl five years ago.
Provincial Police Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant General (Adv) Thembisile Patekile praised the efforts of Sergeant Bradley Schuurman of the Anti-Gang Unit and the prosecution team who all contributed to the hefty sentence handed down to Matthew Yu, who was convicted and sentenced for the murder of Ruwayda Van Der Rheede.
Sentencing proceedings took place at the Mitchell’s Plain Regional Court and Yu received 27 years behind bars and was found not guilty for one of the six charges he was facing.
The State proved that Yu pulled the trigger on February 20 2019 and caused the death of Van Der Rheede while she was enjoying herself with her friends.
Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said the investigating team did a sterling job in tracing her killer
“Reports suggested that on February 20 2019, 18-year-old Ruwayda Van Der Rheede was with friends when gang members fired numerous gunshots at occupants of an address in Lentegeur,” he said.
“She was transported to a nearby hospital where she succumbed to the injuries she sustained.
“The investigating officer assigned to the case, Sergeant Bradley Schuurman followed up on the available information, went the extra mile tracing and detained the accused. The State successfully opposed bail and the suspect was remanded in custody.
“Matthew Yu was convicted on murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and sentenced to 27 years behind.”
Linda Jones, the Public Relations Officer for the Mitchell’s Plain Community Policing Forum said they were pleased by the conviction and sentencing.
“We are very glad that this matter is finally over and that the court officials made sure that justice was served,” she said.
“We want to compliment all the Regional B officials for another successful prosecution.
We want our communities to know that we do have court officials who work very hard to get justice for our victims.”
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