The Free State High Court on April 24, sentenced 55-year-old Mozambican national, Frimino David Matola, after he was convicted on multiple charges including the murder of a police officer, two counts of attempted murder, illegal possession of an automatic firearm and ammunition, as well as contravention of immigration laws.
 
The charges stem from the fatal shooting of Sergeant Disema Steven Mapane on December 6, 2022 in Thabong, Welkom.

At the time of the incident, the deceased was part of a multidisciplinary team comprising members of the Sasolburg Public Order Policing (POP), Bloemfontein Tactical Response Team (TRT), and Welkom Detectives. The team was acting on intelligence related to an armed robbery at a petrol station in Welkom on November 24, 2022, for which Matola was a suspect.

Information led the police officers to Matola’s residence, where a shootout occurred between him and the police. He was subsequently arrested on September 21, 2023 in connection with the murder of the police officer.
 
Matola is currently serving time at the Polokwane Correctional Facility in relation to a separate cash-in-transit heist that occurred in Hoedspruit, Limpopo.
 
The court imposed a life sentence for the murder of the police official, along with two additional life sentences for the attempted murders of two police officers. He was further sentenced to fifteen years direct imprisonment for illegal possession of an automatic firearm (AK-47), twelve months for possession of unlicensed ammunition, and another twelve months for violating immigration laws. Additionally, he was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
 
The Acting Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in the Free State, Brigadier Paulus Mbongo, welcomed the outcome and praised the investigating officer for diligent work. He also commended the National Prosecuting Authority for ensuring that justice was served for the crimes committed.