Eastern Cape Premier, Lubabalo Mabuyane says the murder of boxing champion, Leighandre "Baby Lee" Jegels by her policeman boyfriend is a tragic act of criminality that, even though her killer was arrested, will not bring the young woman back to life.
He said in a statement that Jegels was murdered in front of her mother by her boyfriend, a person who was supposed to love, serve and protect her.
Mabuyane said he welcomed the swift arrest of the suspect by the South African Police Service and expressed hope that the justice system would be harsh to him.
He said he, together with the Eastern Cape MEC for Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Fezeka Nkomonye-Bayeni would visit Jegels' mother in hospital on Sunday afternoon.
She was admitted to an East London hospital after the boyfriend shot her as well.
The Premier said that gender-based violence was a serious crime in the province and it was time for people to put an end to violence against women and children.
