Free State police have issued a stern warning to residents who protect wanted suspects, emphasising the significant impact such actions have on delaying justice and the broader implications for society.

Andile Sinyoko (42), the alleged boyfriend of Disebo Portia Mosupa (30), has been arrested after her body was exhumed by forensic investigators in the Thabong cemetery. She was found buried in a used grave on Friday (19/7).

Lawrence Ncanca (37), believed to be Sinyoko’s friend, was arrested on the day that Mosupa’s body was discovered. Mosupa was laid to rest in Welkom this weekend.

Sergeant Mantoetse Molapo from Mangaung Metro District and Sergeant Sello Petros Tlokotsi from TRT Park Road shared harrowing details of the arrest of Sinyoko in Bloemfontein. Despite being off duty, both officers acted on a tip-off about Sinyoko’s whereabouts leading to his arrest on Sunday (21/7).

Molapo said Sinyoko was hiding at the home of the mother of his child. “On our way home, we received an anonymous tip-off about the whereabouts of the suspect, where he was dropped off on Friday (19/7).

“We followed up on the information, which led us to Bochabela in Bloemfontein. On our arrival, we found an elderly woman, aged between 52 and 55, with three children.

“They claimed not to know the person we were looking for. We asked for the owner of the house, and the elderly woman indicated it was her daughter, who was visiting her older sister. The child, aged between ten and twelve, voluntarily took us to the place,” Molapo said.

The elderly woman apparently tried to mislead the officers, but the child led them to the right location. Upon arrival, the woman they were seeking claimed to be taking a bath. Her younger sister offered assistance, but the officers insisted on speaking directly with the woman.

“The moment she opened the bedroom door, we realised she was not alone. There was a man in the room, and we immediately identified him as Andile from the pictures circulating on social media. Sergeant Tlokotsi read him his rights, and he was detained and transferred to Welkom,” Molapo recounted.

Tlokotsi added their investigations suggest the elderly woman knew about the perpetrator’s whereabouts, as she tried to conceal her daughter’s location, along with the suspect. The police continue to fight rampant gender-based violence (GBV) in the province, despite limited resources.

Molapo expressed the emotional toll of dealing with GBV cases, especially as a woman. She urged women to speak out about their challenges and report cases to the police.

Tlokotsi echoed this sentiment, calling for men to stop abusing women and protect both women and children. He also reiterated that providing false information to the police obstructs justice and allows perpetrators to continue causing harm.

Andile Siyoko and Lawrence Ncanca briefly appeared before the Welkom Magistrate’s Court, where they both abandoned bail. Photo: Video Screenshot

Meanwhile, the case against Ncanca and Siyoko was remanded to 22 August for further investigations. They both have been remanded in custody.

 OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg