He appeared in the Western Cape High Court before acting Judge Judith Cloete and assessor, advocate Juliana Thayson, who sentenced him to an additional 25 years on a charge of aggravated armed robbery.

The armed robbery charge related to possessions that he took from Tyhulu after killing her. Bester, 23, stabbed Tyhulu, 23, in the chest, in a bed-and-breakfast in Cape Town in September last year. The two were on holiday together.

They met at the BMW dealership in Sandton, Johannesburg, where she had sold him a car. They started a long-term relationship before going to Cape Town on holiday.

After stabbing Tyhulu, Bester flew to Durban. On his departure from the bed-and-breakfast in the morning, he told reception staff that Tyhulu was still sleeping and not to be disturbed before 2pm.

These remarks were an aggravating factor, the judge said.