The Bethlehem Regional Court has sentenced the 36-year-old Raleboga Johannes Morapedi to three terms of life imprisonment for the premeditated murders of three men in March 2024.
Morapedi was found guilty on three counts of murder following a trial that detailed a calculated attack on the afternoon of 31 March 2024.
The court heard that the victims were travelling in a white Isuzu double-cab bakkie when Morapedi allegedly flagged down the vehicle under the pretext of requesting assistance. Once the vehicle came to a stop, Morapedi climbed onto the back of the bakkie and opened fire on the occupants. Two of the men were killed instantly at the scene. The third victim was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
During proceedings, the court determined that the attack was not random. Evidence presented showed that Morapedi was known to the victims and that the murders were carefully planned and executed with the intention to kill.
The victims were identified as Sello Lefaso (39), Motsie Mokoena (73) and Lehlohonolo Kgaso (29). The court imposed life imprisonment for each of the three counts of murder.
The investigation was led by Detective Sgt Lefa Letlojane of the Organised Crime Investigation unit (Anti-Gang).
