An accused who provided false information to law enforcement regarding the death of his wife has been sentenced to two decades in prison following his murder conviction.
Abraham Faro (60) was found guilty of murder in the Sutherland Regional Court on 13 March 2026 for the killing of Beth Pieterse (56).
According to police reports, on Sunday, 11 October 2020, Sutherland police responded to a complaint at Ekkraal Farm in the Sutherland district regarding the death of a woman. Upon arrival at the farmhouse, officers were met by Faro, who showed them the body of his wife lying on a bed with no signs of life. Faro initially informed the members that the victim had allegedly fallen.
During the initial response, officers observed blood on Faro’s jacket and noticed a mop at the scene that appeared to have blood on it. It was also noted that other individuals present on the farm were seemingly intoxicated at the time.
The matter was initially registered and investigated as an inquest. However, a post-mortem examination later revealed that Pieterse had been assaulted with a blunt object. Cellphone footage captured by first responders was also used as evidence in the case.
Following the autopsy results, the charge was changed to murder. Abraham Faro was arrested on 17 June 2022.
After a lengthy investigation and court process spanning six years, Faro was found guilty of murder. During the proceedings, it emerged that Faro had lied to police on numerous occasions and had attempted to conceal the crime by cleaning the scene.
The conviction brings closure to one of the long-outstanding murder cases in the Sutherland area.