Central SA
Case postponed against three suspected Free State cop murders─── ZENANDE MPAME 13:52 Mon, 20 Jan 2025
Three suspects arrested in the double murder of two Free State constables are due to apply for bail in the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court on Friday (24/1).
Gauteng Hawks have not ruled out the possibility of more arrests in the double murder of the constables from the Namahadi visible policing unit.
Free State NPA spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said a third suspect (53) made his first appearance in the same court on Monday (20/1) after being arrested on Friday for the same crimes. He was remanded in custody.
The accused will join Marasane Anmony (27) and their Lesotho co-accused Pakiso Lethako (32) Friday for a possible bail application.
Const. Sipho Mohapi (45) Gideon Motloung (39) were shot and killed on Saturday, 4 January while attending to a complaint of a house robbery in Namahadi, Phuthaditjhaba.
“The team assigned to the case is working tirelessly to trace and arrest those who took the life of one of us, with these arrests, they promised to bring all those involved to book,” said Provincial Commissioner Lt. Gen. Baile Motswenyane.
Meanwhile, the case against Jan Dael (52) and Letiscia Adams (42) arrested in connection with the alleged murder of a former Bloemfontein magistrate was postponed to Tuesday (21/1) in the Bloemfontein District Court.
The duo made a brief appearance on Tuesday after they were arrested for the murder of Piet Bester (63) after his body was found at his home in Glen outside Bloemfontein on Sunday, 12 January.
‘The two suspects worked and lived on the farm’
“The suspects will apply for possible bail in their next court appearance at the Bloemfontein district court on Tuesday (21/1),” said Free State NPA spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane.
“The police are continuing with investigations into the alleged murder of Piet Bester,” added Free State police spokesperson Lorraine Earle. ‘The investigation officer remains available for further information and appeals to the public for any additional details that may assist in this case.”
The two suspects in Bester’s murder worked and lived on the farm with him for more than 17 years. According to Netwerk24 Dael was a convicted murderer whom Bester decided to hire and give a second chance.
