This, after a murder suspect and two motor vehicle theft suspects were dealt a major blow when the Bloemfontein High Court sentenced them to jail. 

The three accused, Teboho Cwele (26), Lusindiso Hardy (26), and Teboho Lecheko (36) appeared in the Bloemfontein High Court on Thursday where they were sentenced to jail for a crime committed on 3 February 2019, at a victim's house in Arboretum in Bloemfontein. 

Police spokesperson, Thandi Mbambo, says it has been discovered that Cwele went to Johanna Coetzee’s (69) house where he stabbed and killed her with a knife, with the intention to steal her Toyota Hilux Twin Cab.

She says the 26-year-old then found the vehicle's keys in the house but failed to start it. He then called Hardy who also failed to start the vehicle whereafter Lecheko, who is a mechanic, was called to help.

“The three were en route to Lesotho where they already found a buyer. On their way, they stopped at a tavern in Hobhouse whilst waiting for the buyer to contact them. The police were alerted of the incident in Bloemfontein and the information regarding the stolen vehicle was already circulated. Intelligence-driven information was then followed up and all three accused were arrested,” said Mbambo.

Provincial Police Commissioner, Baile Motswenyane, has applauded the Provincial Organised Crime Unit for the arrests and warned against any criminal activities in the province.

Meanwhile, Cwele has been sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for murder and house robbery with 10 years suspended after pleading guilty. Hardy and Lecheko were sentenced to 8 years imprisonment for the theft of a motor vehicle.

OFM News