Free State SAPS commends judiciary as multiple perpetrators of heinous crimes face heavy sentences

FREE STATE – A series of significant convictions and heavy sentences handed down by various courts across the province between October and December 2025 underscore the SAPS’s unwavering commitment to removing dangerous criminals from society and securing justice for victims of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), farm attacks, and crimes against children.

The Provincial Management of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Free State, led by Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Apaphia Modise, welcomes these convictions and heavy sentences as projected in the 3rd Quarter 2024/2025 crime reporting period.

Decisive blow against GBV and femicide

​The province continues to take a hardline stance against domestic violence with several landmark sentences:

• Bloemspruit: Double Murder: Itumeleng Pieter Matema (38) was sentenced to 22 years for the September 2024 shooting of his wife, Puseletso Bokale, and their infant son.
• Clocolan: (Concrete Slab Murder): Motsamai Justice Mosiuoa (35) was sentenced to Life Imprisonment for the brutal murder of Analisa Heleni (25), whom he battered to death against a concrete slab.
• Sonskyn: Steven Songezo Jakane (43) received Life Imprisonment for the murder of Judith Moalosi (41).
• Bothaville: Abel Khidi Stheiso (36) was sentenced to 23 years for stabbing his ex-girlfriend 8 times in front of their children.
• Henneman: Sabata Isaac Masa (37) was sentenced to 23 years for the sexual assault and hacking murder of Palesa Suzan Katane with a garden spade.

Protection of the vulnerable & child predators

• Welkom Lawyer/Stepfather: A 58-year-old lawyer received 3 Life Sentences plus 47 years for 16 counts of sexual offenses against five minor children.
• Meloding Pastor: Sabata Mariti (41) was sentenced to 55 years for the rape of three young girls.
• Ficksburg Father: A 45-year-old man was sentenced to Life Imprisonment for the rape of his 6-year-old daughter.
• Grootvlei Correctional: A 57-year-old inmate was sentenced to Life Imprisonment for the rape of a fellow inmate.

Justice for farming communities

• Viljoenskroon: William Sejane and Lucky Motaung received Life Imprisonment for the 2020 murder of Mr. Dave Wessels.
• Glen: Two men were handed Life Sentences for the brutal murder and robbery of an elderly couple.
• Heilbron Swift Arrests: Following a farm attack where a worker was killed and his wife assaulted, police and the farming community coordinated to arrest 13 suspects within hours, recovering stolen livestock and firearms.

Crackdown on gangs and organized crime

• TDK Gang (Henneman): Two members, Lebogang Chaka and Karabo Masilo, received Multiple Life Terms for a 2020 home invasion involving murder and rape.
• Mangaung Serial Rapist: A 55-year-old suspect linked to cold cases spanning 20 years was apprehended after being chased by community members following a fresh attack.
• Bogus Police Syndicate: Four individuals were sentenced for an extortion “lost phone” scam where they impersonated officers to kidnap and extort victims.

​Drugs and illicit revenue (Operation Shanela)

• Wepener Dagga Bust: R780,000 worth of dagga and ammunition seized on a farm.
• Parkweg: Drugs worth R200,000 and cash seized by the Anti-Gang Unit.
• Illicit Cigarettes: Significant hauls worth R277,000 (Parkweg) and R218,000 (Viljoensdrift) were intercepted at checkpoints.
• Railway Infrastructure: Zimbabwean national Christmas Nyamukanza was sentenced to 15 years for damaging essential infrastructure at Petrus Steyn.

​”These sentences serve as a clear deterrent to those who think they can commit heinous acts with impunity. We commend our investigating officers and the National Prosecuting Authority for their meticulous work in ensuring that these perpetrators are permanently removed from our communities,” Said Modise.

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Modise, supported by the MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, Jabu Mbalula, today hosted a media briefing to present the 3rd Quarter Crime Statistics for the period of 1 October to 31 December 2025.

​The Acting Provincial Commissioner reported a notable downward trend in contact crimes across the province. The intensified police visibility and strategic deployments during the festive season have yielded the following results:

• ​Overall Contact Crimes: Decreased by 8.4%
• ​Murder: Declined significantly by 13.3%
• ​Sexual Offences: Decreased by 9.4%
• ​Assault (GBH): Decreased by 8.1%
• ​Common Assault: Declined by 11.6%

​While most categories showed improvement, Attempted Murder recorded an increase of 4.8%. Major General Modise emphasized that this specific category requires focused attention and targeted interventions to reverse the trend.

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​MEC Jabu Mbalula reaffirmed the province’s firm stance on GBVF, stating, “GBV is not a private pain; it is public violence and it demands system discipline.” The SAPS has committed to driving compliance through the Provincial GBV Desk, ensuring strict adherence to the Domestic Violence Act. This includes ensuring all victim-friendly rooms at police stations are fully functional and provide a dignified environment for survivors.

​Rural safety remains a high priority. Following a successful two-day integrated operation in Thaba Nchu involving Home Affairs, Labour, and traditional leadership, the province is intensifying its response to threats such as:

• ​Rural Murders
• ​Stock Theft
• ​Undocumented individuals and criminal networks

​The Acting PC attributed these successes to the relentless dedication of SAPS members, specifically highlighting all specialed detectives, operational and the administration members for their specialized crime-fighting capabilities and their bravery in responding to challenging first-responder scenes.

​The SAPS also welcomed the series of heavy sentences and life imprisonments handed down by courts between October and December 2025. These successful prosecutions reflect the SAPS’s unwavering commitment to removing dangerous criminals from society and securing justice for victims of farm attacks and child exploitation.​

“We urge the community to remain involved in the fight against crime. Safety is a shared responsibility, and through our integrated partnerships, we will continue to make the Free State a safer place for all,” said the Major General.