ODENDAALSRUS – A 38-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for murder, rape and assault while police in Odendaalsrus are investigating a separate murder case and appealing for public assistance to trace suspects.
The Hennenman Regional Court sentenced Pule Koos Khongoane on Thursday, 2 July, after he pleaded guilty to multiple charges dating back to 2013. The court heard how DNA evidence presented by the investigation team and the National Prosecuting Authority linked Khongoane to several crimes committed in Phomolong.
During 2013 police were summoned to a murder scene in Phomolong where they discovered the motionless, half-naked body of Papaki Anna Ntsane (80). She was found with multiple fatal injuries and her face was covered with a duvet cover. In March 2014 Khongoane broke into a residential area in Phomolong.
On Saturday, 2 December 2023, he accosted a 45-year-old woman, threatened her with a knife and raped her. On the same evening in a separate incident, he physically assaulted a 64-year-old woman at her home. The victim managed to escape and ask for help, leading to Khongoane fleeing the scene.
In July 2025 he unlawfully entered a residence in Phomolong where money, a cellphone and groceries were stolen. The stolen cellphone and groceries were later recovered from him.
Forensic evidence linked him to the crimes
Forensic Science Laboratory investigations on buccal samples collected from Khongoane positively linked him to the crimes. The matter was assigned to sergeant Mantshe Mojela of the Provincial Forensic Investigation Lead Unit based in Welkom. Khongoane was traced and arrested, and pleaded guilty on all charges.
The court sentenced him to seven years imprisonment for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, of which two years is suspended for five years, 20 years for murder and ten years for rape. He received three years imprisonment on each of two counts of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, suspended for five years. The court ordered the assault and rape sentences to run concurrently with the murder sentence. His name was entered in the National Register for Sex Offenders.
District commissioner major general Dr welcomed the sentencing, which resulted from collaborative efforts by the South African Police Service working alongside prosecutor Charmaine Labuschagne of the National Prosecuting Authority.
Murder investigation in Odendaalsrus
Meanwhile, Odendaalsrus police are investigating a murder case after a man was found dead in Essenhout Street on Monday, 25 May. Police received a complaint about a person lying motionless in the street. The deceased had open wounds to his right eye and head. The victim was wearing boxer shorts and a T-shirt and no shoes. He was declared dead on the scene.
The deceased, initially unknown, was later identified as Sipho Michael Mohau (44). The motive for the murder is unclear and no arrests have been made. Police investigations are ongoing.
Police urge anyone with information that could assist with investigations or lead to the arrest of possible suspects to contact warrant officer Bennito Masisi of the Odendaalsrus detectives on 082 466 8041, the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, or send an anonymous tip through the MySAPS app.
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