* TRIO SENTENCED FOR MURDER OF TAXI DRIVER IN ZAMDELA
On 22 January 2021, the Parys high court convicted and sentenced three African males for the murder of a taxi driver. Karabo David Sefume (30) was sentenced to 25 years, Itumeleng Victor Mofokeng (18) to 10 years and Mthimkulu (18) to 08 years imprisonment.
It was on Wednesday, 21-08-2019 when the three suspects got in a taxi in Zamdela and during their ride they stabbed the taxi driver to death and fled the scene on foot.
The suspects were later arrested and two of them were pupils at a local school. It was discovered during trial that the two pupils were on their way to school when Karabo who is originally from Evaton, Gauteng province suggested that they hijack a taxi and sell it in order to have money. After they got into the taxi they demanded money from the driver and attempted to take the vehicle.
Upon failing to get both the money and the vehicle, the suspects stabbed the driver to death.
Detective Sergeant Tshidiso Sepheka did a thorough investigation in ensuring that the suspects are behind bars.
* MAN WANTED BY POLICE TO SOLVE A MURDER CASE TUMAHOLE
On Friday 2021-01-22 at about 18:00 the police received a complaint of a possible body buried in a shallow grave at one of the houses in Tambo section, Tumahole.
The police attended to the complaint and the body of Dieketseng Suzan Tsotetsi (17) was found buried in the shallow grave.
The concerned community members informed the police that they saw Tshepo Kenneth Motaung (26) digging a big hole in his aunt’s yard and they thought he was going to throw in rubbish but later they noticed that the hole was closed and the rubbish was still in the yard.
On Sunday evening 2021-01-24 the suspect was seen selling his aunts television and fridge and on Monday 2021-01-25 he left his aunt’s house carrying bags and he never returned home. Anyone with information on Tshepo’s whereabouts can contact Detective Sergeant Andre Jacobs on 082 465 3140.
*Three suspects died in a farm attack
A farmer was surprised by four suspects this morning (11 February) when he opened his door in the morning on a farm in the Kroonstad District.
At about 07:20 Mr Pieter André Swart (37) of the farm Boskoppie was attacked when he opened the door of his house. They tried to overpower him and stabbed him in the neck and on the head. He managed to get his firearm and fired several shots.
Three suspects were fatally wounded and another managed to flee the scene. He stays alone on the farm. Mr Swart was taken to hospital for medical treatment. Police are still at the scene and searching for the fourth suspect.
*MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED AFTER ALMOST 15 YEARS
Just when he thought he got away with a murder that happened almost fifteen years ago, Senki Mavin Mokoena (39) was arrested by the Bethlehem Detectives when he least expected.
Mokoena was arrested at his workplace at one of the firms in Vanderbijlpark on Sunday 7 February 2021.
Mokoena was a detainee together with seven other co-accused during September 2006 when they allegedly assaulted Petrus Tshabalala who was 40 years then, and later died. His accomplices were later sentenced and served their term while Mokoena refrained from attending court for the same matter.
Police have since been on his tracks until his ultimate arrest on Sunday 7 February 2021 and the case was heard on Monday 8 February 2021 and he was found guilty. His sentencing was announced by the Magistrate on 10 February 2021.
Just like his co-accused, Mokoena is expected to spend 90 days in prison and four years wholly suspended.
Free State Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane has commended investigating officer Detective Captain Jabulani Victor Mbonambi for making sure that he left no stone unturned in insuring that Mokoena faces the music just like his accomplices. This should serve as a warning to other criminals who think they can commit crime and get away with it.
