Soetwater double-murder accused sentenced to 25 years

The man who killed his partner and their young son at Soetwater Nature Reserve two years ago has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Edward Berman was found guilty on two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in the Wynberg Regional Court on Tuesday, October 14.

According to Ocean View visible policing commander, Captain Nick Spreeth, Mr Berman received 25 years’ imprisonment on count 1, another 25 years on count 2, and 15 years on count 3.

The court ordered that the sentences for counts 2 and 3 run concurrently with count 1, meaning he will serve an effective 25 years behind bars.

The case stems from the tragic discovery of the bodies of a woman and a child in a tent at Soetwater Nature Reserve in March 2023.

The family, from Milnerton, had been camping at the reserve since Saturday, March 11, that year.

At the time, Ocean View CPF chairman Mansoer Ismail said the family had been reported missing a day before the discovery.

Their 17-year-old son had managed to contact relatives after becoming suspicious of his father’s behaviour.

An elderly couple camping nearby raised the alarm when they noticed no movement at the family’s tent. Police were called to the scene and later confirmed the deaths ("Multiple deaths in the far south," Echo, March 23, 2023).