Four illegal foreign nationals made several court appearances before being convicted and sentenced for the murder of Peter Keetsi.

The men appeared in the Mahwelereng Regional Court on Thursday, and the court found that on August 31, the group stabbed Keetsi several times.

The group encountered Keetsi as he walked home from a tavern in Polar Park, Mokopane, at about 00:30.

“The 22-year-old victim was taken to Mokopane Hospital and a case of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm was made against Khulekani Dube (24), Saviors Mbedzi (23), Vusi Ncube (21) and Agreement Tlou (24),” Lieutenant Colonel Mamphaswa Seabi confirmed in a statement.

Keetsi succumbed to his injuries in hospital and the case was changed to that of murder.

An investigation team lead by Detective Sergeant David Hlengane Matjeke, was assigned to the case and about a month later, they managed to track the four men to a farm in Lephalale, where they were taken into custody.

At their final court appearance on Thursday, the four men were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder.

“They were also given an additional two-year sentence to prison or a fine of R5 000, for the contravention of the Immigration Act, as investigations revealed that the men are of Zimbabwean nationality and resided in South Africa illegally,” Seabi added.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe commended the investigating team for their diligent execution of their duties to bring about a successful conviction.

“The harsh sentences are all thanks to the efforts and professionalism displayed during the investigation and presentation of evidence before court by the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant David Hlengane Matjeke,” Hadebe added.