Cigarette, one rand and drugs: Dispute over R1 ends in murder, man sentenced to 12 years
The victim made a quick stop at the house of an alleged drug dealer, where the attacker demanded R1.
Luciano Donn, known as "Skarrel", was sentenced to 12 years in prison by the Port Nolloth Regional Court for the murder of Vivian van Wyk. Prosecutors argued that Donn's refusal to give up a single rand led to the fatal confrontation. The incident occurred on March 28, 2025 in Port Nolloth when Van Wyk and a friend were approached by Donn after a potential drug deal.
When Van Wyk said he did not smoke, Donn demanded a rand and slashed Van Wyk with a knife after not getting it. Donn then took the drugs and fled leaving Van Wyk to die from his injuries. Donn was arrested later that night and pleaded not guilty, claiming he was elsewhere, but the court rejected his alibi and convicted him of murder.
The court noted Donn's lack of remorse and the gravity of the drug-fueled crime, and gave him a sentence slightly below the mandatory minimum of 15 years.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
