Bedfordview detective’s diligence ensures murder conviction

Ekurhuleni district commissioner, Major General Anna Sithole, welcomed the sentencing of Sem Junea Mokoena (24) after diligent work by Sergeant Nicodemus Mokoena.

Sem was sentenced to 12 years in prison for fatally stabbing Njabulo Innocent Maseko three times in the upper body.

Maseko was 28 at the time.

The incident took place in the evening in Elandsfontein in October 2021.

Nicodemus, with 15 years of experience at the Bedfordview Police Station, said he was happy and relieved with the sentencing.

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“The deceased, a patroller in Elandsfontein, was with a team of five or six patrollers when the accused approached him and asked to have a word with him on the side.

“According to eyewitnesses, they appeared to argue before the accused pulled out a knife and stabbed him.

“His parent took him to Bertha Gxowa Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries,” explained Nicodemus.

After the murder, the accused fled, and the police could not find him in his residence.

They later traced him to Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga, but he still managed to hide from the police until his arrest in Brits (North West) last November.

Sem was prosecuted and convicted of murder on October 17 by the Germiston Magistrate’s Court.

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He must serve at least six years before he can apply for parole.

Nicodemus, who played a crucial role in bringing Sem to justice, said, “I wanted to get justice for the deceased and his family and also send a message to other criminals.

“Because he fled the scene and his family was not cooperating with the police, he thought he would get away with it.

“That is why I opposed bail.”

Ekurhuleni police spokesperson Captain Neldah Sekgobela said, “The Ekurhuleni district commissioner applauded Mokoena for his good work that will send a clear message to criminals who take advantage of other people’s lives,” said Sekgobela.