FOURIESBURG – A murder accused who was found guilty of shooting a security guard dead and wounding a farmer in the leg has been sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment and declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Thabo Tankiso Hlompho (29), a Lesotho national, has been sentenced to 12 years’ direct imprisonment and was declared unfit to possess a firearm. This follows a tragic incident that occurred on 12 December last year in Fouriesburg when he fatally shot a security guard and injured a farmer.
A local farmer, monitoring his property via CCTV, spotted an unauthorised intruder and immediately contacted his private security service. Security guard Andrew Grant Turner (56) responded to the call. In a shocking turn of events, Hlompho overpowered Turner, disarming him before fatally shooting him on the spot. Turner was declared dead at the scene.
The farmer, witnessing the murder on CCTV cameras, alerted local farmers, police and authorities. During Hlompho’s attempted escape, he wounded one of the farmers who was assisting by shooting him in the leg. The farmers managed to apprehend Hlompho, recover the stolen firearm, and hand him over to police.
On Thursday, 24 July, Hlompho pleaded guilty in the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court and was sentenced. The SAPS praised the community’s swift response, highlighting the critical role of community collaboration in maintaining rural safety.
