4th suspect expected in court today after Free State cops’ murders

A fourth suspect has been arrested in connection with the killing of Constables Sipho Mohapi and Gedione Motloung of Namahadi Visible Policing in the Free State. He is expected in court today.

According to Bloemfontein Courant, both officers were fatally shot while responding to a house robbery in Phuthaditjhaba on January 4.

The Hawks’ Colonel Katlego Mogale says the 29-year-old suspect, who is a South African citizen, was traced and arrested in Mangaung Village on Monday, by a team comprising the Hawks, Crime Intelligence, Tactical Response Team, local Criminal Record Centre, Provincial Anti-gang Unit, and the Provincial Detectives’ Serious and Violent Crime Unit.

Mogale states the suspect was found in possession of a silver and black Taurus pistol, a pistol magazine containing two live rounds of ammunition, a brown balaclava, and a cellphone.

“The 29-year-old suspect is expected to appear before the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on charges of the murder of two police officers, house robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm,” says Mogale.

The other three suspects involved in the same case include Marasane Kabelo Anmony (27), a South African, who was arrested on January 16 in Makgalaneng Village. He appeared in the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court on January 17, facing charges of murder and robbery.

According to Mogale, the case against him was postponed to Friday to allow for his co-accused from Lesotho, Pakiso Lethako (32), who was arrested on January 15, to apply for bail.

The third suspect, Lakaje Piet Thetha (53), was arrested on January 17, and made his first appearance in the same court on Monday.