This follows an incident in June 2017 in Letlhabile outside Brits, where the accused, 27-year-old Suprise Mokoebo and 26-year-old Thabang Maleka shot Constable Samuel Hlongwane -  who was attached to the Brits Tactical Response Team (TRT).

According to police spokesperson, Amanda Funani, upon their arrest, the accused were further sentenced to an additional 47 years imprisonment for the murder of their accomplice, two counts of aggravated robbery and unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition.

She explains that Hlongwane was allegedly walking along Letlhabile main road when his friend, driving a BMW, stopped to have a conversation. Whilst talking, two unknown males confronted and pointed Hlongwane and his friend with firearms. Funani further adds that one of the accused shot Hlongwane who managed to return fire and wounded one of the accused. Hlongwane was certified dead on the scene while his friend did not sustain any injuries.

Funani says a third man arrived with a getaway car, picked the wounded suspect up and dropped him off at Letlhabile clinic. The other accused got away in the BMW.  

"Upon becoming aware of what happened, taxi operators and members of the community followed the accused’s car to the clinic where they allegedly assaulted the wounded male who was later certified dead. 

"Subsequent to an investigation by the Brits police, the stolen BMW was recovered together with the accused’s getaway car in Soshanguve, Gauteng Province. Mokoebo was arrested on Friday, 4 August 2017, in Mabopane," says Funani.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) commended the investigation team for securing maximum sentences against the accused men who killed a police officer. 

The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Sello Kwena, says the pair had to be permanently removed from society for the crimes they committed and in the process robbed the Service and the community of a police officer.

OFM News/Blaine Jones