Court upholds jail term for man who killed girlfriend in a fit of wrath

A MAN who beat and kicked his partner to death in an alcohol-induced rage will continue to serve his 20-year term of imprisonment after his appeal against his sentence failed in the Western Cape High Court.

- CHEVON BOOYSEN

The repeat offender, who had previously served a prison sentence for murder, argued that he was provoked and could not foresee the death of his girlfriend after the violent assault, which occurred after a night where the couple had consumed alcohol.

Bafana Khumalo, co-executive director at Anti-GBV non-profit organisation Sonke Gender Justice, said they welcomed the court's decision.

"The judgment affirms the fact that there can be no justification for violence. Alcohol and anger can never be an excuse," said Khumalo.

It emerged in court that the couple fought over the man’s consumption of wine, which the girlfriend had bought, and her accusation that he failed to contribute financially to their household.