Ex-cop sentenced to 25 years for murdering ex-girlfriend

NAMPA

2024-10-03

WINDHOEK, 02 October 2024 - Murder convict Brian Plaatjie. (Photo by: Eba Kandovazu) NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 03 OCT (NAMPA) - A former police detective attached to the Keetmanshoop Gender Based Violence Unit was on Thursday sentenced to an effective 25-year imprisonment for the murder of his ex-girlfriend Sharon Louw.
Brian Plaatjie during the trial admitted to having murdered Louw, the mother of his two children, between 25 and 26 June 2021. A postmortem found that she suffered multiple stab wounds on her chest, neck and arms. Louw had ended their relationship in 2020 and initiated a protection order against Plaatjie.
“That clearly shows that he has no respect for the law and order which he was required to enforce as a police officer,” Presiding Judge Dinah Usiku remarked.
The murder was committed at the deceased’s residence, where she was found with her boyfriend at the time. The latter was also stabbed and injured while attempting to stop Plaatjie from stabbing Louw.
Plaatjie was subsequently charged with murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, breaching a protection order, as well as malicious damage to property. During sentencing, Judge Usiku found that Plaatjie was not remorseful for his actions as he only apologised to the deceased’s family during the trial. She ruled that the apology was not genuine and the murder was pre-meditated.
“Murder, the crime for which the accused has been convicted, does not need emphasis of seriousness. The offence was committed in a domestic setting, which in my view is an aggravating factor in itself. The deceased’s three minor children and her parents will not see her again. The deceased’s right to life was violated,” Usiku found.
(NAMPA)
EB/EK/AS

Keetmanshoop

Community

Three nabbed for robbery at Otjiwarongo

2026-09-14 18:17:06

Conradie fined N$200 000 for corruption conviction

2026-09-14 16:23:56

‘I will fight for development in Gibeon’: Kooper

2026-09-14 08:56:27

Three killed in separate weekend incidents

2026-09-13 17:05:17

NamPol investigates three suicide cases

2026-09-13 16:51:24

Zambezi governor calls for continuous prayer

2026-09-13 13:16:52

Youth urged to turn ideas into measurable impact

2026-09-13 12:48:47

Kavango West records 168 road crashes in five months

2026-09-13 09:45:47

Sinimbo urges communities to break silence on abuse

2026-09-13 09:29:51

Nandi-Ndaitwah calls for action against GBV and road carnage

2026-09-12 16:30:17

Namibia records 966 suicide cases in two years

2026-09-11 13:53:19

Latest NAMPA photos

SWAKOPMUND, 11 September 2026 - National Planning Commission Director General Ambassador Kaire Mbuende, Erongo Governor Natalia /Goagoses, Chief Regional Officer Sam Ntelamo and other regional leaders among beneficiaries at the Erongo Governor’s Fish Consumption Promotion Project in Swakopmund. (Photo contributed)

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 14 September 2026 - Petrol and diesel price rises pushed Windhoek's inflation to 5.9% in August 2026, above the national rate of 5.0%, Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) said recently. (Photo: Contributed)

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 13 September 2026 - Liberation struggle veteran, former Robben Island prisoner, and lifelong workers' rights advocate Helao Joseph Shityuwete was laid to rest at the Gammams Cemetery in Pionierspark, Windhoek, on Sunday following a state funeral. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 12 September 2026 - Vipers and Keetmanshoop Rams Rugby Clubs players (in blue/dark blue and white, blue and red) while in action during the second semifinals of the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) First Division championship trophy at the Hage Geingob Stadium. Oranjemund won the match 26-19 to qualify for the final against Vipers. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 12 September 2026 - Oceans and Oranjemund Rugby Clubs players (in blue/black and orange and red) while in action during the second semifinals of the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) First Division championship trophy at the Hage Geingob Stadium. Oranjemund won the match 26-19 to qualify for the final against Vipers. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 12 September 2026 - Oceans Rugby Clubs players while in action during the second semifinals of the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) First Division championship trophy at the Hage Geingob Stadium. Oranjemund won the match 26-19 to qualify for the final against Vipers. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA