DURBAN, (CAJ News) – POLICE have welcomed the sentencing of a colleague who shot dead his girlfriend in 2013.

Former Constable Xolani Benedictus Mbatha has been sentenced to 15 years for murder, three for attempted murder and 18 months for handling a firearm while under the influence of liquor, after he appeared at Ladysmith Regional Court.

He killed his girlfriend, Phumla Motaung (19) and shot at the deceased’s friend.

The Police Commissioner in KwaZulu-Natal, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni welcomed the sentencing and applauded the commitment of the investigating officers who ensured that justice was served to the victims.

“We will not accept that people who are expected to protect the citizens of this country break the law themselves. We expect our police officials to be exemplary in their conduct whether they are on or off duty. This is a clear indication that any police officer who breaks the law will be subjected to the same processes that any other criminal is expected to undergo,” she said.

– CAJ News