The 29-year-old will appear in the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (22/1) on charges of murder, house robbery, and possession of an unlicensed firearm. 

He was arrested in Mangaung village on Monday (20/1) and “was found in possession of one silver and black Taurus pistol, one pistol magazine with two live rounds of ammunition, a brown balaclava, and a Samsung Galaxy cell phone,” said Gauteng Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale

The third suspect, Lakatje Thetha (53), made a brief appearance in the same court on Monday (20/1) when he was remanded in custody to join his co-accused for a bail application on Friday (21/1).

Marasane Anmony (27) and Pakiso Lethako (32) are charged with murder and robbery.

Consts. Sipho Mohapi (45) and Gideon Motloung (39) were shot and killed on Saturday, 4 January while attending to a complaint of a house robbery in Namahadi, Phuthaditjhaba.

Meanwhile, Free State police are on the lookout for two suspects who fled on foot after a local tuck shop was robbed at gunpoint in Nyakallong, Allanridge on Monday (20/1).

It is alleged unknown men entered the shop when one pointed a firearm at the shop owner while the others raided the backroom, demanding money. The suspects took an undisclosed amount of cash from the cash register and an airtime machine then fled in a Toyota Corolla parked near the shop.

‘Three suspects  were arrested for business robbery’

“The vehicle was spotted by a patrolling police vehicle and it was chased and stopped in Nyakallong, all the suspects inside the vehicle fled the scene on foot,” said Free State police spokesperson Mahlomola Kareli.

“Three suspects (27, 33, and 39) were arrested for business robbery, and (items) stolen from the tuck-shop were recovered.”

Police urge anyone with information to contact Detective Const. Thapelo Mosuang on 079 682 7117 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame mvh