A man who killed his ex-girlfriend and their daughter in Belhar has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Ryan Smith was sentenced in the Western Cape High Court on Friday.

He killed his former partner, Altecia Kortje, and their seven-year-old daughter, Raynecia, in June 2020.

The State argued that Smith was a jealous, possessive and abusive boyfriend, who couldn’t take it when Kortje ended their relationship.

He was sentenced to life behind bars for the woman’s murder and 18 years imprisonment for their child’s death.

The National Prosecuting Authority’s Eric Ntabazalila says the sentences have been ordered to run concurrently.

“Advocate Nicolette Bell, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape, expressed shock at the callous crimes committed by the accused and condemns the use of children as pawns when partners fight. She called on men to accept it when women decide to end abusive relationships.”

 

Image: Supplied