The magistrate in the murder case where a former hairdresser from Kempton Park killed her ex-boyfriend, said the seriousness of the crime and her admission that she does not regret the murder and acted out of revenge, justified a harsh sentence.

Jacobus Marthinus (Markus) Greeff was tied up and suffocated to death on May 15, 2024, at a property on West Road in Pomona. Denise Hattingh was arrested for his murder a day after police discovered his body.

The Kempton Express reports that Hattingh was convicted of murder under Section 51(2) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, which prescribes a minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment. She was sentenced to 20 years’ direct imprisonment in the Kempton Park Regional Court yesterday (February 5).

Violent nature of the crime

Magistrate Prince Manyathi explained that a lesser sentence may be imposed only if substantial and compelling circumstances are found. In this matter, the court found no such circumstances to justify deviating from a severe custodial sentence.

Hattingh’s pre-sentence report revealed that she was adopted at the age of seven and raised in a stable home, with no evidence of abuse.

She later left home, lived on the streets, and became involved with drugs. At the time of the offence, she was employed at a hair salon, earning approximately R5 000 per month, much of which was spent on drugs.

Hattingh showed lack of remorse

While acknowledging that Hattingh was a first-time offender, Manyathi said this did not diminish the seriousness of the crime.

“The more serious the crime, the more likely it is that imprisonment is the only appropriate sentence,” he said.

The court expressed particular concern over Hattingh’s lack of remorse. In the pre-sentence report, she stated that she was not sorry for killing the deceased and claimed she acted out of revenge.

Brutally executed murder

Manyathi described the murder as planned and extremely violent. The court heard that Greeff was tied to a bed, rendered defenceless, and suffocated until he died.

“No one has the right to take another person’s life,” Manyathi said. “Life is a precious gift.”

The court also considered the profound impact of the crime on the victim’s family. Greeff was 29 years old and is survived by his family, who addressed the court on the emotional toll of his death.

“No sentence can bring the deceased back,” said Manyathi, “but the court must impose a sentence that upholds the law and provides a sense of justice to the community.”

Hattingh will be incarcerated at Johannesburg Prison.

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