GAUTENG – The Acting Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Gauteng, Brigadier Phumeza Klaas, has welcomed the life sentences handed down to Cheston Layton Solomons (29) and Delano Dearlings (31) by the Johannesburg High Court for the murder of Sergeant Mellita Lydia Moamohe.

On April 21, 2020, Sebokeng SAPS members were on their way to an Operation O Kae Molao deployment when they witnessed a person being forced into the boot of a vehicle on Crystal Street in Waldrift, Vereeniging. When they stopped to intervene, the suspects opened fire on their police vehicle, fatally wounding Moamohe, who sustained gunshot wounds to the head and leg. She was declared dead on arrival at Kopanong Hospital.

Following an intensive investigation involving the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), and Vereeniging SAPS, four suspects were arrested in Eldorado Park and Soweto between May and August 2020. During the case, one of the accused, Krystal Hill, turned state witness, while Patrick Samuels entered a plea deal in April 2021 and was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.

On August 15, the Johannesburg High Court found Solomons and Dearlings guilty on all charges. On August 18, they were sentenced as follows:

Count 1: Robbery with aggravating circumstances – 15 years

Count 2: Murder – life imprisonment

Count 3: Attempted murder – six years

Count 4: Attempted murder – six years

Count 5: Possession of an unlicensed firearm – five years

Count 6: Possession of unlicensed ammunition – 18 months

The court ordered that sentences on counts 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 run concurrently with the sentence on count 2. The effective term of the sentence is life imprisonment.