HARRISMITH – Three men, of whom one is a Lesotho national, received four life sentences each following the fatal shooting of two police officers in Phuthaditjhaba in the Free State.

The lengthy sentences were handed down to the three accused on Friday 28 August by the Free State High Court sitting in Harrismith, said Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti, spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks).

Lesotho national Pakiso Lethako (34), Mpho Richard Mosia (31) and Kabelo Anthony Matasane (29) were convicted for their involvement in the fatal shooting of two police officers, attempted murder, robbery of a service pistol, house robbery, theft of a firearm, illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition and illegal immigration.

The fatal incident

The convictions follow the murders of Constable Sipho Mohapi and Constable Gedione Motloung, who were both attached to Namahadi Visible Policing. On Saturday 4 January 2025, Mohapi and Motloung were fatally shot whilst responding to a house robbery in Phuthaditjhaba.

The court sentenced Lethako, Mosia and Matasane each to two life sentences for murder, two life sentences for attempted murder, 15 years’ imprisonment for house robbery and a further 15 years’ imprisonment for robbery of a service pistol.

Additional sentences

In addition, Lethako was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for illegal possession of ammunition, 15 years’ imprisonment for possession of a prohibited firearm, 18 months’ imprisonment for contravention of the Immigration Act and three years’ imprisonment for theft of a firearm.

Mosia was further sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for illegal possession of ammunition and 15 years’ imprisonment for possession of a prohibited firearm.

Free State Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Solly Lesia and Provincial Head of the Hawks Major General Mokgadi Bokaba applauded the sterling work of Crime Intelligence, the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Murder and Robbery Unit, Anti-Gang Unit and Tactical Response Team, and welcomed the lengthy sentences handed down to the three accused.

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