It is said there is a very thin line between love and hate. It is always shocking when people who used to love each other end up hurting each other.
A Pietermaritzburg man has been sentenced to three life sentences, plus 10 years, after he shot his family.
In his plea the man (33), who worked for a security company, outlined the murders that took place on 9 September 2023.
He told the Pietermaritzburg High Court that he shot and killed his 28-year-old partner, their three-year-old daughter and a 26-year-old man, whom he suspected to be in a relationship with his partner. His two-year-old daughter was also shot but survived.
On the day of the incident, the man said that he had gone to the Nhlalakahle area where his partner and their two children lived.
He went there to drop off some clothes he had bought for the children, however shortly after his arrival he and his partner got into an argument.
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He said that this argument confirmed his suspicions that she was cheating on him with her ex-boyfriend.
He then drew out his work-issued firearm and shot at his partner as well as his two children who were with her. His partner and the three-year-old child were fatally wounded, while the two-year-old was rushed to a nearby hospital.
Thereafter, he drove to the ex-boyfriend's house and shot him dead. The man said that he then went to the Bishopstowe area, where he attempted suicide by shooting himself. He said that he lost consciousness and woke up in hospital.
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Advocate Mbongeni Mthembu handed in Victim Impact Statements to the court.
The statements were compiled by the family members of the deceased and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer, Mbalenhle Valencia Komane.
The family of the man's partner described her as a hard-working and kind person who took care of the family.
They said that they are receiving counselling as the incident, which happened in their home, has left them traumatised.
The ex-boyfriend was described as a respectful person whom his family depended on.
The man was sentenced to life imprisonment for each of the murders and 10 years imprisonment for attempted murder.
The sentences were ordered to run concurrently, he will serve an effective sentence of life imprisonment.
