Joburg cop jailed for killing girlfriend

A Johannesburg policeman has been jailed for 15 years for killing his girlfriend, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) said on Thursday.

 

Constable Matswantswa Phineas Kgarose, 26, was sentenced by the High Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday for killing Emmy Refiloe Lebopo, 32, in Ivory Park, east of Johannesburg, on June 12 last year.

 

Ipid spokesman Moses Dlamini said Kgarose turned himself in four days after the crime.

 

"On June 12, he visited his girlfriend. The two had an argument during which he pulled out a firearm and shot the deceased on the left side of the chest, and she died on the scene."

 

The firearm had yet to be recovered.

 

"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," said Dlamini.