The sentencing took place at the Bloemfontein High Court on Monday (21/10).

OFM News had previously reported on the discovery of an unidentified man’s body wrapped in a blanket under a bridge in Turflaagte, Bloemfontein. At that time, police had not yet made any arrests.

According to a police statement from Capt. Loraine Earle, the Kopanong police was contacted on 7 June 2021, regarding a male body found in Turflaagte. Preliminary investigations revealed that the body had multiple stab wounds, and a wire was found around the deceased’s neck, wrapped in a red cloth.

‘A wheelbarrow with bloodstains was discovered’

The deceased was identified as Itumeleng Lekgari (28).

After a murder case was opened and an inquiry initiated, information led the investigation’s lead Sgt. Sechaba Matli to a nearby residence. There, a wheelbarrow with bloodstains was discovered.

When questioned, the owner of the residence claimed the blood was from a pig they had slaughtered the day before.

The crime scene in 2021. Photo: Tankiso Mosala

DNA results from the wheelbarrow were matched to Thami Oliphant, the owner of the wheelbarrow. He was arrested in July 2023 and charged with kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and murder. Thabiso Elson, the second suspect, was also arrested but died in October 2023.

After evading capture since June 2021, the third suspect, Themba Fete, was arrested on 29 October 2023. He was found guilty of kidnapping, robbery, aggravated assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and murder.

During the trial, the victim and his friend were found to have been harassed, coerced, and pushed to a home owned by Thami Oliphant as they were strolling through Khotsong. The drugs the two had purchased earlier in Khotsong, together with R50, were taken from them.

‘He was forced to clean up the blood and dispose of his friend’s body’

They were told to undress and go into one room and were stabbed while they were on the bed. They were battered with homemade pangas, burned with hot water, and the deceased was strangled with a cellphone charging cord.  

The victim died at the scene, while his injured friend managed to escape. However, he was first forced to clean up the blood and was escorted to use a wheelbarrow to dispose of his friend’s body near a church.

The remaining suspects were sentenced as follows:

• Thami Oliphant (30): 3 years for kidnapping, 15 years for aggravated robbery, 3 years for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and 15 years for murder.
• Themba Fete (30): 5 years for kidnapping, 15 years for aggravated robbery, 15 years for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and life imprisonment for murder.

OFM News/Rethabile Monyane cg