A South African man, Jerome Windvogel, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Worcester Regional Court in the Western Cape for the brutal murder of his ex-girlfriend, Nelnisha Kortjie.
Windvogel, a known member of the notorious 28s gang, had a long history of violent crimes dating back to 2006. However, his latest act of brutality shocked many—stabbing Kortjie 39 times simply because she ignored his text messages.
On February 17, 2023, Kortjie was on her way to the bus stop in Bonnievale when Windvogel approached her. When she refused to acknowledge him, he chased after her, pulled out a knife, and repeatedly stabbed her in the face, neck, upper body, arms, and legs.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, Kortjie’s mother tried to intervene, but Windvogel turned on her as well. Undeterred, he continued his attack, pinning Kortjie to the ground and stabbing her repeatedly until she succumbed to her injuries.
He attempted to flee, but enraged community members pursued and apprehended him that same morning, leading to his arrest.
During the trial, State Prosecutor Elton Willmse highlighted Windvogel’s disturbing criminal past, revealing that this was his fifth violent offence. The murder was committed even before the suspension period of a previous case against him had expired.
"Windvogel has a clear pattern of violent behavior. He refused to accept the end of the relationship and reacted with extreme brutality. Despite admitting to anger management issues, he still armed himself with a knife," Willmse stated.
The court also took into account the devastating impact on Kortjie’s children, including the child she shared with Windvogel.
Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Nicolette Bell, condemned the sheer brutality of the case and reaffirmed the NPA’s commitment to fighting gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa.
Windvogel’s sentencing serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers women face from intimate partners unwilling to accept rejection. His life imprisonment brings some measure of justice, but the tragic loss of Nelnisha Kortjie remains a painful reality for her loved ones.