Lutzville ax murderer sentenced to life in prison

A Lutzville West man who brutally murdered his ex-girlfriend on her birthday has been sentenced to two life sentences.

Calvin Cloete, 38, who was previously jailed for stalking and stabbing 21-year-old Carmen Gouws, pleaded guilty to murder, rape, kidnapping and attempted murder charges in the Vredendal Magistrate’s Court last week.

Carmen was brutally murdered with an ax on her 21st birthday. Children found his bloody body in a veldjie on October 7, 2023.

Just three weeks before his death, Cloete was released from prison, where he was serving time for stalking and stabbing Carmen. His family said he had been harassing her since her high school years.

Cloete was sentenced to 26 years’ direct imprisonment for attempted murder charges, life imprisonment for rape and murder charges, and 5 years’ imprisonment for kidnapping.

Detective Rugene Links, whose quick efforts led to Cloete’s arrest, said the defendant showed no remorse throughout the court proceedings.

“No, after the punishment he stood up and walked. He expressed last week that he was considering apologizing but didn’t know how,” Links said.

Court records in Cloete’s plea agreement detailed how he repeatedly attacked the young woman over the years, raping her and eventually taking her life.

The family’s spokeswoman, Sarah Bakamela-Mgema, said they could now close this chapter and begin to heal.

“It was a day of mixed emotions because it was a day we longed for. There were tears of joy but also tears because Carmen wasn’t here, we didn’t let her down.

“The family is happy, they are putting this case behind them and focusing on recovery,” he said.