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Assassin in #PrellerSquareShooting pleads guilty

───   OLEBOGENG MOTSE 15:31 Thu, 08 Nov 2018

Assassin in #PrellerSquareShooting pleads guilty | News Article
PHOTO: Olebogeng Motse

One of the men believed to have pulled the trigger and killed Louis Siemens earlier this year at Preller Square in Bloemfontein has pleaded guilty to the murder and been sentenced to 22 years in prison by the Free State High Court today.


This was confirmed by the prosecutor in the matter, Johan de Nysschen. 

The 39-year-old Xolisile Mbebetho was apprehended in Phahameng last month after being on the run since May 10, when Siemens was gunned down in the basement parking area of Preller Square. 

He first appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on October 12 in a leg brace, where the matter was postponed. 

During Mbebetho’s appearance, it was revealed that his life was in grave danger and his picture could not be taken by the media. The man, alleged to be from Port Elizabeth, was detained at a facility that was not disclosed in court at the time because of this. 

OFM News learned earlier this week that the man, convicted of the murder today, was injured in what he believed was an attempt on his life in Kimberley. He is reported to have gone to Kimberley with friends at the time and was as a result very afraid for his life.

Businessman, Stanley Bakili is believed to be the mastermind of the crime. He had been a business associate of the deceased, who at the time of his death was the Director of the Day Hospital, City Med. Detective from the Bayswater unit, Molebatsi Mogoera; and court orderly, Kagiso Chabane are said to have helped Bakili orchestrate the murder. They are set to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court tomorrow.

Prior to Mbebetho’s arrest, De Nysschen revealed in a previous court appearance that the witness list was not added to the provisional indictment in the matter, out of fear that the state’s witnesses will be influenced.

The fifth suspect in this murder is still at large.


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