A FORMER soldier who killed his wife and fled the scene has been handed a hefty sentence.
Sonwabo January Asvoel was convicted and sentenced by the South Gauteng High Court in Palm Ridge on Friday, 19 May, for the brutal murder of his then estranged wife in 2018.
"The couple was going through a divorce when Asvoel decided to end things violently by fatally shooting his wife at their marital home in Ebony Park (Midrand)," said Captain Bernard Matimulane.
He said apart from the life sentence, Asvoel was also handed a further 15 years for possession of an unlicensed firearm, three years for possession of ammunition and six years for the pointing of a firearm.
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Brigadier David Mbongeni Ngcobo, the station commander of the Ivory Park Police Station, has welcomed the sentence.
He said: "Gender-based violence is so rife in our communities, so much so that sentences such as this should be given regularly to the perpetrators in order to send a clear message to other potential abusers.
Ngcobo also commended Detective Edmond Lebopo for his dedication and hard work.
Lebopo hunted Asvoel down for 16 months after the commission of the murder.
The family of the woman said although the sentence wouldn't bring her back, they were happy that justice was finally served.
