Stellenbosch University student’s killer sentenced to life imprisonment

The Stellenbosch Regional Court has sentenced 20-year-old Rudolph Hufke to life imprisonment and an additional 30 years for the murder and robbery of Stellenbosch University student Jesse Mitchell, according to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

Hufke was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

NPA spokesperson in Western Cape, Eric Ntabazalila, said the sentencing followed his guilty plea as part of a plea and sentencing agreement with the state, in which he confessed to the murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances of Mitchell, as well as the robbery of another victim, Sikho Matimba.

According to the NPA’s statement, Hufke and an accomplice targeted Mr Matimba last year in Jan Cilliers Street, Stellenbosch, on October 15. They attacked him, stealing his backpack, and Hufke struck Mr Matimba in the face with a rock before fleeing.

In the early hours of the next morning, October 16, Hufke prowled Borcherd Street armed with a knife, looking for potential victims.

CCTV footage shown in court captured him stabbing Mr Mitchell in the neck as the 19-year-old student rode past on his electric bicycle. The bike continued for a short distance before crashing on the pavement.

Police later recovered the knife, which contained Hufke’s fingerprints and DNA. Footage showed him picking up Mitchell’s backpack before walking away from the scene.

Regional prosecutor William Da Gras led the state’s case, supported by investigating officer Detective Sergeant Calvin Mosses, who said the strength of the forensic and video evidence ultimately led to Hufke’s conviction.

Mr Da Gras told the court that the crimes were driven by malice and drug-induced recklessness. He described Hufke’s conduct as “especially brutal and callous,” noting that Mr Mitchell’s life was “cut short on his 19th birthday.”

“The accused conducted a reign of terror in the Stellenbosch area, which was only abated following his arrest. These offences sent shockwaves throughout the greater Stellenbosch area and negatively affected the general public’s quality of life. The sentence must send an unambiguous message that this kind of barbaric violence will not be tolerated,” the NPA’s statement read.

The court sentenced Hufke to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years for Mr Mitchell’s robbery, and 15 years for the robbery of Mr Matimba. The sentences will run concurrently.

In a victim impact statement, Mitchell’s grandmother, Christina Mary Mitchell, described the murder as deeply traumatic, as it was his 19th birthday. 

“He was attacked in the early hours and left dead on the ground. My deep anxiety is for the families of current students. I hope this sentence deters future perpetrators and reassures parents about the safety of students in Stellenbosch,” she said.

Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Nicolette Bell, welcomed the life sentence and commended the investigating and prosecuting teams for their work.