A 36-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Estcourt Regional Court after pleading guilty to the murder of his ex-girlfriend.

The couple had been in a domestic relationship and shared three young children. The deceased had reportedly ended the relationship due to alleged ongoing abuse.

On the day of the incident, in May this year, an argument broke out between the two after the girlfriend returned from Pietermaritzburg. The accused, who was armed with his licensed firearm, opened fire on her at the Estcourt taxi rank, emptying the entire magazine and killing her at the scene. He later surrendered himself at the police station.

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During sentencing, the court heard Victim Impact Statements from the deceased’s family, who described the deep trauma and lasting impact of the crime, including the burden of caring for the children left behind.

The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the sentence, reaffirming its commitment to combating gender-based violence and femicide.

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