Parolee who killed wife found guilty of murdering his girlfriend in Western Cape

A Western Cape man convicted of killing his first wife has been found guilty of killing his girlfriend while on parole. 

Johan Miana, 52, pleaded guilty to murdering his 23-year-old girlfriend, Maria Karen Ambraal, less than six months after his release from prison. 

According to the Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority, Miana was previously convicted of murdering his wife in 2014 and was sentenced to 17 years' direct imprisonment. 

"He was released on parole in April 2024 and was still on parole when he met Ambraal," said NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabezilila. 

In his plea, Miana told the court he began a romantic relationship with Ambraal in July 2024.

The court heard that on November 8, 2024, the accused invited the deceased to accompany him to visit his friend at Meyer Le Roux Farm.

"They arrived at around 7 pm, drank, and later that evening went to visit other friends on the same farm," says Ntabezilila.

Later that evening, the couple argued their way back home.

Miana said he became angry, lost control, and started to hit the deceased multiple times with clenched fists on her face and abdomen.

“The deceased attempted to fight back but fell to the ground and then attempted to crawl away from him."

"He took out his work knife, which he always carried with him, and started stabbing her multiple times all over her body,” said Ntabezilila.

The knife fell, and then he proceeded to grab a stone that was lying close to them and hit her multiple times all over her head, including her forehead.

Miana fled the scene and approached his employer, asking him to call the ambulance services and the police.

The State has called for life imprisonment, describing the killing as a brutal act of repeated violence against women.

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