File
A former Eastern Cape traffic officer has been jailed for life for the murder of his wife seven years ago.
The National Prosecuting Authority said 39-year-old, Mphuthumi Toni, was sentenced in the Mthatha Regional Court on Friday for shooting his wife, Nompucuko, a Constable in the SAPS, in February 2013.
NPA spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said the court heard that his wife had reluctantly attended a SAPS course where she confided in a colleague that her husband did not approve of her going away as he had previously accused her of cheating.
He said after shooting his wife, Toni pointed his firearm at their child-minder who had come into their bedroom to investigate after hearing gunshots.
She later testified fleeing for her life.
Tyali said when police arrived on the scene, Toni claimed that an intruder shot at him and his wife.
He said in handing down sentence, Magistrate Dan Ngoqo, said the former traffic officer had a duty to enforce the law, but instead chose to shoot his wife in front of their terrified two-year-old child.
