JJ Peters, a 25-year-old resident of Mbombela, was sentenced to life imprisonment earlier this week for the murder of his 68-year-old grandmother, Sannie Strydom Kilmister.
JJ Peters to spend the rest of his life behind bars, court rules
The sentence was handed down by the Nelspruit Regional Court on Wednesday, 22 January 2025, concluding a case marked by delays and confessions that revealed a harrowing story of betrayal and loss.
The court’s ruling ensures that Peters will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
He was also declared unfit to work with elderly people, according to Monica Nyuswa, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Mpumalanga.
RelatedPosts
Nyuswa emphasised the importance of the life sentence, stating:
“The NPA welcomes this sentencing as it sends a message to the public not to attempt such heinous crimes.”
Peters had pleaded guilty to the murder in October 2023, admitting his role in the crime during his final plea on 1 November 2024.
The case experienced repeated delays due to procedural issues, including technical problems, judicial absences, and requests for a psychological assessment of Peters.
What led Peters to kill His grandmother
The events leading to the murder occurred on 21 February 2022, in the Cromdale area outside Mbombela, where Peters lived with Kilmister.
She was described by friends as “God-fearing and deeply religious.”
Known for her compassionate nature, Kilmister was the mother of a prominent local business owner.
According to investigators, Peters killed his grandmother in the early hours of Monday morning after an argument escalated.
She was found strangled in her bedroom, with bruises on her neck and bloodstains on a pillow nearby.
Initial suspicions pointed to a possible home invasion, but Peters eventually confessed to the murder during police questioning the following day.
In court, Peters admitted he had been influenced by a friend and was fully aware of his actions.
He also confessed to struggling with mental health issues, as evidenced by a February 2022 Facebook post in which he apologised for his “broken heart and ill mind.”
Despite this, the court found him guilty of murder, malicious damage to property, an defeating the ends of justice.
In South Africa, there are many resourceful organisations that are ready to assist you and your loved one in dealing with mental health triggers. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) is the country’s largest mental health advocacy group, and its 24-hour hotline is free to use if you or a loved one needs help. You can reach them on 0800 456 789 (24 hours a day), SMS 31393, or visit their website for more info and help.
