A Limpopo teacher has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the brutal 2022 murders of his estranged wife, her boyfriend, and her daughter.

The High Court in Polokwane found 61-year-old Wilfred Moruthanyane Nkadimeng guilty on three counts of murder and one of attempted murder. Although he was handed a total of 83 years for his crimes, the sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will serve 25 years. The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

Nkadimeng pleaded not guilty, but the state proved its case. Evidence showed that on 26 September 2022, in Bothashoek, Nkadimeng fatally shot his estranged wife, Themia Clara Morema, following an argument. He then shot and killed her boyfriend, Tlou Solomon, who had arrived at the scene, before turning the gun on his stepdaughter, Nomasonto Morema. He also fired at a tenant but missed.

Community members called the police, who arrived at around 11 pm to find three lifeless bodies. Nkadimeng had fled but was later traced and arrested.