An illegal immigrant from Lesotho received a stiff sentence in the Oberholzer Regional Court for a deadly revenge shooting. Selelemo Leshodu Thene (39) appeared before Magistrate PJ du Plessis on March 26. He faced charges of murder, the unlawful possession of a firearm, the unlawful possession of ammunition, and being in South Africa illegally.

The court heard that on November 7, 2024, Thene shot and killed a fellow Lesotho national in Blyvooruitzicht. The attack was described as an act of revenge. Police arrested Thene shortly after the incident. Thene was found guilty on all counts.

The magistrate handed down 15 years for murder, 15 years for the illegal firearm which was used in the murder, 15 years for the illegal ammunition, and two years for being in the country illegally.

Thene will be deported once he completed serving his sentence.

Warrant Officer Claudia Buthelezi of the Carletonville Detectives was the investigating officer.