BLOEMFONTEIN – Two Lesotho nationals have been sentenced to life imprisonment after an ambush at a border taxi rank left two men dead and a community reeling, following an international manhunt that saw them dragged from their hideout across the border to face South African justice.

Tumelo Tsiu (32) and Lineo Walatsa (30) were apprehended in Lesotho in July 2024 and brought back to South Africa to face justice for a double murder that occured in June 2024. A third accused, Seun Moloi, died after being shot five times two weeks before the trial commenced.

The accused were sentenced in the Ficksburg High Court on 23 October. The successful conviction followed collaboration between the investigating officer, Warrant Officer M.D. Machalotsa, prosecutor Advocate Lucky Bontes and Judge Mrs Mbhele.

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Opened fire on passengers

The sentences followed an incident on 11 June 2024 at the long-distance taxi drop-off point near the Maseru Border Post. It was alleged that an unknown number of males disembarked from a white Isuzu bakkie and opened fire on passengers exiting the taxi, which was travelling from Johannesburg. After the shooting, the suspects fled in the bakkie.

Members of the police were deployed to the scene and on arrival, officers discovered the bodies of Moholi Mohapi, known as “Bohome” (31), and Rebone David Sephaka, known as “Serurubele” (40), lying in a pool of blood next to a taxi they had just alighted from.

A swift response led to the white Isuzu bakkie being intercepted on the R26 near Manyatseng by members of the police stationed in Ladybrand. However, two suspects fled into the darkness, leaving behind the driver. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a 9mm firearm, which was confiscated. The driver, Seun Gert Moloi (30), was arrested, appeared in the Ladybrand Magistrate’s Court, and was granted bail of R8 000.

The other two suspects allegedly fled to Lesotho after the murders. Their extradition followed meticulous collaboration between the South African Police Service and Lesotho law enforcement agencies, facilitated through international legal frameworks.

Court proceedings

Tsiu and Walatsa initially appeared in the Ladybrand Magistrate’s Court on 7 January 2025. The case was postponed to 13 January 2025 for the appointment of legal representation.

The two accused were charged with murder of Mohapi, murder of Sephaka, attempted murder of a Mr Sekantsi, attempted murder of a Mr Pitso, possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of unlicensed ammunition, conspiracy to commit crime and contravention of the Immigration Act.

They were found guilty and were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and attempted murder, and nine months’ imprisonment for contravening the Immigration Act. On the charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and conspiracy to commit murder, they were found not guilty, said Sergeant Sinah Mpakane, spokesperson of the Free State Communication and Liaison unit.

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