Pretoria police officer sentenced for murdering pregnant ex-wife

A 40-year-old police officer stationed at Pretoria Railway Unit was sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment after he was found guilty of killing his pregnant ex-wife.

According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phaladi Shuping, when Sergeant Tebogo Johannes Mpete realised his ex-wife, Ntombizodwa Khumalo (38), had moved on with her life, he started to threaten her boyfriend.

Shuping says Mpete went to Brits hospital on April 5, 2023, where Khumalo was employed, and waited for her.

He followed her into the parking area and shot her several times, using his service pistol. Most of the bullets fired at Khumalo were aimed at her stomach and hit the fetus, adds Shuping.

Khumalo died at the scene and Mpete handed himself over to Brits SAPS.

The case was taken over by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate for investigation.

“Mpete remained in custody until the finalisation of the case.”

Shuping says Mpete pleaded guilty in the Pretoria High Court and he was sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment.

“The court, however, suspended five years of the sentence, and he will effectively serve 30 years. He was further declared unfit to possess a firearm.”