A South African police officer, Annius Mmutle, 50, has been sentenced to double life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his estranged wife and her boyfriend. The Zeerust Regional Court in North West Province handed down the sentence, ordering that both life terms run concurrently and declaring Mmutle unfit to possess a firearm.
The tragic incident occurred on March 14, 2023, in Zeerust. Mmutle, a Detective Warrant Officer stationed at Nietverdint police station, was separated from his wife, Motshegwa Mmutle, due to ongoing marital issues. According to Sivenathi Gunya, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Communications Officer for the North West Division, Mmutle tracked his wife, her boyfriend Katlego Selokwane, and her friend to the friend's residence that day.
Upon their arrival, Mmutle ambushed them, firing approximately twelve bullets. Both Motshegwa and Katlego were killed instantly, while the friend managed to escape. After the shooting, Mmutle called the police and was arrested on the spot. He was subsequently charged with two counts of murder and has been in custody ever since, with bail denied.
During the trial, State Prosecutor Advocate Mabale argued that the murders were premeditated, emphasizing that Mmutle, as a law enforcement officer, had a duty to protect his family. Instead, he violated the victims' constitutional right to life. The prosecutor urged the court to impose the maximum penalty, stating that there were no compelling reasons to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence under Section 51(1) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997.
In delivering the sentence, Magistrate Mothibi highlighted that Mmutle showed no remorse for his actions, noting that calling the police after the murders did not absolve him of his guilt. The Magistrate also condemned the pervasive violence in society, stressing that Mmutle, as a police officer, should have known better.
Dr. Rachel Makhari, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, welcomed the sentence, praising the prosecutor and all those involved in ensuring justice was served. She expressed hope that this ruling would serve as a deterrent to those who believe violence is a solution to their problems.
