20 Years' Sentence for Jacob Humphreys Sends Strong Message to Road Killers

Robin Carlisle, the Minister of Transport and Public Works in the Western Cape, has said that while the 20 years' sentence handed to Buttskop child killer Jacob Humphreys "will not bring those ten children back to their families, the judiciary has sent a powerful message that could save many hundreds of lives in the future".

Cape High Court Judge Robert Henney sentenced Humphreys to 12 years for each count of murder, to be served concurrently, while he received six years for each count of attempted murder, four years of which will run concurrently with the 12 years. The remaining two years on each count will be served consecutively, bringing the total to 20 years.

"We in the Safely Home team see this as a turning point in the history of road safety not only in the Western Cape, but in South Africa as a whole," said Minister Carlisle.

"Reckless drivers will surely sit up and take note that from now on killers will receive their just deserts in prison."

"I am in total agreement with Judge Henney that 'something drastic must be done' to create a culture of responsible road behaviour."

"By convicting and sentencing Humphreys so severely for murder and attempted murder, the judiciary has itself delivered a drastic boost to road safety," Minister Carlisle said.

"I would like to stress, however, that there is only so much the government and judiciary can do - we also need to see an increasing number of citizens obeying the rules of the road, ensuring that all of us get Safely Home," said Minister Carlisle.

"This kind of civil action is sorely needed in order for us to do road safety better together."