MOSSEL BAY — Christo Cupido, a 26-year-old man from Oudtshoorn, has been sentenced to an effective four years in prison for culpable homicide, following the death of Leoni Heunis, 42, in a 2022 stabbing incident in Mossel Bay.
The Mossel Bay Regional Court handed down the sentence on 25 August, ordering five years for theft and seven years for culpable homicide, with three years suspended for the next five years.
Cupido is already serving a 10-year sentence for aggravated robbery committed in 2022 and previously served a one-year term for assault in 2019.
On 4 February 2022, Cupido stole a vehicle in Oudtshoorn and drove to Mossel Bay. The next morning, police discovered Heunis’ body near the Heiderand graveyard during routine patrols on Louis Fourie Road. She had suffered a fatal stab wound to the neck. Cupido was arrested shortly afterward.
Initially charged with murder, Cupido later entered a plea agreement with the State and pleaded guilty to culpable homicide and theft.
Regional court prosecutor Craig Merrington strongly criticized Cupido’s criminal history, stating his violent offenses showed a clear escalation and that he demonstrated no chance of rehabilitation.
“The deceased paid the ultimate price, with her life, because the accused wanted to scare and intimidate her. Instead of getting help, he ran away,” said Merrington.
Merrington emphasized that although culpable homicide differs legally from murder, the loss of life remains serious and must be treated with gravity.
Magistrate Koeries echoed these sentiments, noting Cupido’s lack of remorse, disregard for the law, and repeated violent behavior.
“The only appropriate sentence is direct imprisonment,” Koeries said, citing the seriousness of the crime, Cupido’s background, and society’s interest in justice.
