Life sentence for Prieska man who murdered wife and stepson with axe

An accused, Nathan Olifant, 46, was handed a life sentence in the Britstown regional court after pleading guilty to the murder of his wife and stepson, whom he struck multiple times over the head with an axe on June 6 2023.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Northern Cape spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the accused was at home in Prieska on the day of the murders, where he had grown increasingly suspicious and insecure about his marriage. 

"His wife Patricia Olifant, 42, and three other children and stepson Romario van Wyk, 22,  were also at home at the time. He later confessed that, while lying in bed, he became overwhelmed by anger and marital insecurities before taking an axe and attacking Patricia in their bedroom. He then proceeded to Romario’s room, where he struck him three times on the head with the same weapon."

He added that Olifant attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself after realising the gravity of his actions.

"One of his children discovered what he was attempting and alerted neighbours, who immediately called the police and emergency services. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Patricia and Van Wyk succumbed to their injuries within an hour.

"Olifant was hospitalised for three days after trying to take his life and was arrested upon his discharge. He has remained in custody since his arrest." 

Senokoatsane stated that state prosecutor Xolisa March stressed the brutality of the crimes, describing them as heinous acts that deeply shocked the Britstown community.

"The prosecutor further argued that Olifant had betrayed his duty to protect his family and that no compelling circumstances existed for the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment.

"The state also led victim impact statements facilitated by the court preparation officer Trott Manghana, in which Patricia’s sister highlighted the devastating effects of the murders on the minor children and the broader family." 

He indicated that Olifant was sentenced to life imprisonment on each count of murder, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently.

"The accused was further declared unfit to possess a firearm. The NPA applauds the dedicated work of the prosecution team and the South African Police Service in ensuring justice for Patricia and Romario." 

Chief prosecutor in the Kimberley Cluster Advocate Keageletse Ilanga believed the sentence would send a strong message that acts of domestic violence and gender-based violence would not be tolerated.

"Families should be places of love and safety, not of fear and brutality. We will be vigorous in our pursuit of these cases to serve as a deterrent to would-be murderers," she said.