Free State

Image via: Adobe Stock

Five men sentenced for two seperate MURDERS

In one of the murders, a man who was accused of stealing one of his friends’ horse, had his throat slit at a village in the Free State

Free State

Image via: Adobe Stock

Five people have been sentenced in two separate Regional courts in Phuthaditjhaba for two different murders, the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Free State has said.

Three men from one family – Moshengu Jonathan Moloi(37), Philiso Enock Moloi(25) and Teboho Michael Moloi(36) – are said to have savagely attacked at least three people who had attended their family gathering at Matswakeng Village in December 2020. One of them died from their injuries.

“It was established during investigations that the deceased stabbed one member of Moloi’s with knife. Apparently, the group of Moloi’s family went to the deceased house broke all the windows and they met with deceased on the road, stabbed him with knife for several times and they left him there on the road,” said SAPS’ Free State Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring.

Police managed to track and subsequently arrest the suspects for murder. All three were convicted by the Phuthaditjhaba Regional court on Thursday, 17 March 2022 and sentenced to an effective 12 years behind bars.

TWO OTHER FREE STATE MEN SENTENCED FOR MURDER

In another murder case, two people, Sipho Samson Nhlapo (30) was sentenced five years direct imprisonment whilst his co-accused Seiso Tsholedi Moloi (38) was sentenced 20 years direct imprisonment. Free State police say the discovered the body of a man whose throat was slit, inside a donga owned by 20-year-old Sandile Mbele. This was in February 2021.

“Apparently the deceased was drinking alcohol together with his friends inside the other house at Sejwalejwale village. He went outside. Suddenly few minutes other person went outside and return inside the house told his friends that the deceased took his horse. While they were inside the house deceased returned and his friends heard the horse outside. Then three people assaulted the deceased,” Mophiring added.

Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Solly Lesia has condemned the horrific murders.

“Murder is very serious offence within society and we also take it as such as police that’s the reason of conviction and warn people that no person has a right to kill. But each human being has right to life. I want to that the two policemen for excellent work and bringing trust back to our community. To the families of deceased justice is served”, Lesia said.