Cop gets 20-year jail term for murder
2013-02-06 18:49
Johannesburg - A warrant officer has been sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment for killing his girlfriend, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) said on Wednesday.
Spokesperson Moses Dlamini said Godfrey Boitumelo Modikoe, 36, shot dead Tshepiso Mafatle in Klipfontein, Soshanguve, on December 27, 2010.
They had been arguing because Modikoe had failed to buy Christmas presents for his two children.
Mafatle was shot in the face with a state firearm and died on the scene.
Dlamini said Modikoe was arrested a few days later and was released on bail of R2 000, but failed to make his next court appearance and was re-arrested. He was found guilty of contempt of court.
He later pleaded guilty to a charge of murder and was convicted. He was sentenced on Friday by the High Court in Pretoria.
"The IPID is satisfied with the outcome of this case, as it sends a message to other police officers who may be tempted to abuse their state issued firearms," Dlamini said.
- SAPA
