Chesnay Keppler murder case postponed to February

Sergeant Mandla Buthulezi is accused of shooting the 22-year-old traffic warden at her Eldorado Park home on Boxing Day following an alleged domestic dispute.

The 42-year-old wore a navy blue tracksuit with the hood of his matching sweater pulled over his head.

Behind him, the gallery was packed with members of the Keppler family, who wore pink T-shirts bearing her face, their supporters, politicians, government officials, and community members.

Buthelezi missed his first appearance on 30 December after he was hospitalised and kept under police guard, allegedly after he tried to take his own life.

The couple is alleged to have a history of domestic violence.

Community members accused the police management of failing to intervene before the tragedy struck.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s Lizzy Shuping confirmed Buthelezi used his South African Police Service-issued gun during the shooting.

“The Protea Magistrate’s Court postponed the matter to allow for further investigation. Sergeant Buthelezi allegedly killed his girlfriend with his service pistol more than a week ago. He allegedly fired shots through her place of residence following a domestic dispute.”

Keppler was laid to rest on Saturday.

READ MORE: SAPS absence at Keppler’s funeral ‘unjustified’ – Lesufi

Meanwhile, speaking to the SABC outside court, the Gauteng Legislature chair of chairs, Keith Adams, said the law must change to address the scourge of gender-based violence.

“There are three things that we have to change very urgently; one, it must be clear that legislation must present a law that says no bail for GBV cases; that victims must not allow perpetrators to come out Scott-free by dropping the cases, and then lastly, it’s to say that there must be the harshest punishment and sentences for GBV.”

The case returns to court on Wednesday, 26 February.

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