
01/07/2025
NORTHERN CAPE MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR KILLING AND BURYING WIFE IN SHALLOW GRAVE
CALVINIA - The Northern Cape High Court in Calvinia has sentenced Charles Matthys (55) to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his wife, Annamary Matthys (40). The sentencing, delivered on 27 June 2025, follows a horrifying incident that took place on 15 April 2022.
According to police, Matthys assaulted his wife to death at their home and buried her body in a shallow grave behind a local school in Calvinia. His arrest came after a community member alerted authorities. Police found him wearing bloodstained clothing at the time.
In addition to life for murder, Matthys received:
1 year for assault (common)
6 months for defeating the ends of justice He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola applauded the sentence and the investigative work of Detective Sergeant Jaco Swartz from the Calvinia FCS unit. She also thanked the community and State Prosecutor Advocate Neshmi Pillay for their collaboration.
“If you see something, say something,” Otola said, urging communities to speak out against gender-based violence.