On Tuesday, the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein sentenced some members of a gang known as "Die Haas" in Qwaqwa. The final hearing was held at the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Child Justice Secure Care Centre.

According to Free State police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele, Tsimane Malakoane was brutally murdered on 25 May 2019 and his body thrown in the Sekoto River near the Tsheseng village in Qwaqwa.

Makhele said his car, a red Toyota sedan, was found burnt to ashes at the nearby Tsirella village.

On the day of the murder, Malakoane was driving to Tsheseng when he was stopped by the four suspects, who pretended to seek a lift to the same destination, Makhele said.

"They… stabbed him to death after robbing him of his belongings. His body was discovered by members of the community, who also played a role by providing information.

"Tshabang Richard Buthelezi, 18, received 10 years' direct imprisonment; Lehlohonolo Stanley Modipa, 18, received 20 years' direct imprisonment; Itumeleng Moloi, 20, received 20 years' direct imprisonment; and Nauwe Peter Tshabalala, 27, received 20 years' direct imprisonment," Makhele said.

News24