Calvin Cloete, a member of the notorious 27s gang, has been handed down a severe sentence of two life terms and 31 years in prison for the brutal murder of his ex-girlfriend, Carmen Gouws. Cloete’s confession detailed the horrific events that unfolded on October 7, 2023, when he dragged Gouws into an orchard while wielding an axe with the clear intention of taking her life.
The Vredendal Magistrate’s Court heard how Gouws suffered unimaginable injuries, with her post mortem revealing that every part of her body was affected by Cloete’s vicious attack. The 38-year-old gang member pleaded guilty to charges of attempted murder, rape, kidnapping, and murder within a domestic relationship.
Initially denying premeditation, Cloete eventually admitted, under cross-examination, that he had intended to kill Gouws as he dragged her away from her home with the deadly weapon in hand. The couple’s relationship, which began when Gouws was just 13 years old and Cloete was 29, was marked by a history of violence, with Cloete confessing to frequent physical abuse.
In a chilling account of the murder, Cloete revealed that he used the axe to end Gouws’s life on her 21st birthday after a date turned sour when she mentioned another love interest. Following what he described as consensual intercourse, Gouws threatened to accuse him of rape, leading to a violent outburst from Cloete.
The court was told that Gouws’s postmortem showed signs of extreme brutality, including shoe imprints on her back from Cloete repeatedly stomping on her. Despite feeling guilty immediately after the murder, Cloete chose to evade justice and continue his criminal activities, citing his loyalty to the gang.
Cloete’s criminal record includes multiple convictions for malicious damage to property and assault, as well as a second attempted murder charge for a separate incident involving the stabbing of Isak Booi. He openly admitted to carrying a knife as part of his gang affiliation and vowed to continue doing so if ever released from prison.
During the sentencing, advocate Louise Freister-Sampson denounced Cloete as a symbol of toxic masculinity and a grave threat to women in South Africa. She argued that Gouws had been groomed into a relationship with Cloete and that he believed no one else should have her if he couldn’t.
Judge Slingers concurred with the prosecution, handing down a life sentence to Cloete for the rape and murder of Gouws, along with additional terms for attempted murder, kidnapping, and the attack on Booi. Cloete will not be eligible for parole until he has served at least 25 years behind bars.
The director of public prosecutions in the Western Cape, advocate Nicolette Bell, expressed shock at the brutality inflicted on Gouws but praised the efforts of the investigative and prosecutorial teams in securing justice. Bell emphasized the urgent need to address gender-based violence in South Africa, highlighting cases like Cloete’s as a stark reminder of the ongoing crisis.
