Central SA
Five men receive hefty sentences for murder of police officer, civilian─── BAMBATHA GIKO 09:39 Sat, 25 Feb 2023
Five men appeared in the Harrismith Regional Court on Friday 24 February 2023 for the murder of a police officer and a civilian.
On 2 August 2019, the five suspects robbed Sergeant Koos Mokoena of his state vehicle, laptop and cell phone in Phuthaditjhaba, Free State.
The bodies of Mokoena and the civilian Andile Ranyane were found with gunshot wounds near Basotho Cultural Village, 20 kilometres northwest of Phuthaditjhaba.
Free State Hawks spokesperson Christopher Singo said Koenehelo Setoromo (36), Enoch Rasunyane (31) and Patrick Raletjoe (31) were arrested on 8 August 2019 by Bethlehem-based Hawks members, together with the Tactical Response Team (TRT) and Crime Intelligence (CI).
The fourth accused Teboho Mokoena (28) was arrested the following day and further investigations led to the arrest of Teboho Semano Monyane (33).
“Setoromo, Raletjoe, Mokoena, Monyane were each sentenced to life imprisonment on counts two (2) and three (3) of murder. Furthermore, they were additionally sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each, on count one (1) of robbery with aggravating circumstance. Mokoena was also given another twelve (12) months imprisonment on count four (4) of escape from custody,” said Singo.
The court sentenced Rasunyane to 20 years imprisonment on counts two and three of murder, and to ten years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
