BLOEMFONTEIN – The Free State police have welcomed the 24-year imprisonment sentence the High Court of the Free State Division handed to Seuntjie Wilson Rosi (47) for the murder of Anna Mogoase, a woman with whom he had a romantic relationship.

Rosi was sentenced on Tuesday 18 August, based on compelling evidence that he murdered the victim, who was 55 years old at the time. The police investigation revealed Mogoase’s death followed a gender-based violence (GBV) incident that occurred in January last year. An in-depth investigation revealed the victim died following a brutal assault at a residence in Grassland II in Bloemfontein on 23 January, at approximately 18:00.

Lt Col Thabo Covane, provincial spokesperson for the police, said members who attended to the complaint found the victim with slight bruises on her body.

“A closer examination revealed distinct bruising around her neck, pointing to fatal strangulation and assault. Emergency Medical Services (EMS), which were summoned, officially declared Mogoase deceased at the scene. An investigation indicated that the victim had been involved in a heated domestic altercation with her boyfriend prior to her death,” said Covane. He said the designated investigating officer, Det. Sgt Sechaba Thapelo Tsholo, arrested Rosi five days later following a comprehensive manhunt.

Covane said that Rosi’s lengthy sentence was also a result of collaborative work between the investigating officer and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa, resulting in a compelling case being presented in court.