FROM THE COURTS: Three police killers will spend the rest of their lives behind bars.

Mpho Richard Mosia (31), Kabelo Anthony Matasane (29) and Pakiso Lethako (34),  a Lesotho national, were convicted by the Free State High Court, 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 two police officers, Constable Sipho Mohapi and Constable Gedione Motloung, were fatally shot on Saturday, 4 January 2025 shot while responding to a house robbery in Phuthaditjhaba.

The court sentenced Lethako, Mosia and Matasane on Friday 28 August 2026 to two life sentences each 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.

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.

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