The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Solly Lesia and Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Mokgadi Bokaba, have applauded the sterling work of Crime Intelligence, the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Murder and Robbery Unit, Anti-Gang Unit, and Tactical Response Team and welcomed the lengthy sentences handed down to three accused on August 28, following their conviction for the murders of Constable Sipho Mohapi and Constable Gedione Motloung, who were both attached to Namahadi Visible Policing.

A Lesotho national, Pakiso Lethako (34), Mpho Richard Mosia (31) and Kabelo Anthony Matasane (29) were convicted by the Free State High Court sitting in Harrismith for their involvement in the fatal shooting of the two police officers, attempted murder, robbery of a service pistol, house robbery, theft of a firearm, illegal possession of firearm,  illegal possession of ammunition, and illegal immigration.

Constables Mohapi and Motloung were fatally shot on January 4, 2025 while responding to a house robbery in Phuthaditjhaba, Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti said.

The court sentenced Lethako, Mosia and Matasane each to two life sentences for murder, two life sentences for attempted murder, 15 years imprisonment for house robbery and a further 15 years imprisonment for robbery of a service pistol.

In addition, Lethako was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for illegal possession of ammunition, 15 years imprisonment for possession of prohibited firearm, 18 months imprisonment for contravention of the Immigration Act and three years imprisonment for theft of a firearm.

Mosia was further sentenced to six months imprisonment for illegal possession of ammunition and 15 years imprisonment for possession of a prohibited firearm.