Cape man sentenced to life in prison for brutal murder of ex-girlfriend
Cape man sentenced to life in prison for brutal murder of ex-girlfriend! A Cape Town man, Jerome Windvogel, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Worcester Regional Court after being convicted of brutally stabbing his ex-girlfriend 39 times.
The gruesome murder shocked the community of Bonnievale, as it was revealed that Windvogel showed no remorse and even laughed while committing the crime.
A History of Violence
Windvogel, a known member of the 28s gang, has a long history of violent crimes, with multiple convictions between 2006 and 2018. Despite previous criminal records and suspended sentences, he continued his pattern of violence, leading to the tragic murder of 36-year-old Nelnisha Kortjie.
Ignored Messages Lead to Deadly Attack
On February 17, 2023, Kortjie was on her way to the bus stop in Bonnievale when Windvogel confronted her. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, Windvogel became enraged after Kortjie failed to respond to his text messages.
“He called her, but she did not respond. He then chased after her as she turned to go home, took out a knife, and stabbed her in the face, neck, upper body, lower body, arms, and legs,” Ntabazalila explained.
Desperate Attempts to Save Kortjie
As Windvogel launched his attack, Kortjie’s mother attempted to intervene but was threatened by him. Witnesses say that Windvogel sat on top of Kortjie and continued to stab her repeatedly. She died at the scene from multiple fatal wounds.
Community members, shocked and horrified, quickly chased Windvogel down, leading to his arrest that same morning.
A Chilling Pattern of Abuse
During the trial, State prosecutor Elton Willemse emphasized that this was not Windvogel’s first violent offence.
“Kortjie’s murder was the fifth offence involving violence as an element, and it was committed before the period of suspension in one of his previous cases had even expired,” Willemse told the court.
Willemse further argued that Windvogel had a history of refusing to accept rejection.
“He has a propensity for violent crimes. He did not want to accept that the relationship was over, and just like before, he refused to take no for an answer. He even admitted that he struggles to control his anger, yet he still armed himself with a knife,” the prosecutor said.
The court took into account Windvogel’s criminal history, as well as the devastating impact his actions had on Kortjie’s three children—including their shared child.
Justice for Nelnisha Kortjie
After hearing the harrowing details of the case, the Worcester Regional Court sentenced Windvogel to life imprisonment.
Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Nicolette Bell, expressed outrage over the brutality of the crime.
“The level of violence in this case is deeply shocking. We remain committed to playing an integral role in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide,” Bell said.
The NPA reaffirmed its stance against violence towards women and children, ensuring that perpetrators like Windvogel face the full force of the law.
A Community Demands Change
The murder of Nelnisha Kortjie has left the Bonnievale community devastated, with many calling for stricter measures against repeat offenders. Community leaders and women’s rights activists have used this case to highlight the urgent need for stronger laws to protect women from violent partners.
Despite Windvogel’s life sentence, Kortjie’s family and friends are still grieving the loss of a beloved mother, daughter, and friend.
This tragic case serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing gender-based violence crisis in South Africa and the importance of seeking justice for victims.
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