The National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson in Free State, Phaladi Shuping, says that the 31-year-old Thembelane Ngakale was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering Constable Katlego Mokgadiyane.

He was also served an additional 15 years for house breaking with the intent to commit a robbery.

Shuping adds that Ngakale was handed down a further 15 years imprisonment for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm, and another 15 years for the unlawful possession of ammunition.

According to Shuping, Mokgadinyane was at his home in the company of his wife and their 8-month old child when they heard a sound coming from the kitchen. 

He says the deceased went to inspect and was shot twice.

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Shuping says Mokgadinyane’s wife noticed two unknown men wearing balaclavas inside the house, armed with a steel object and a firearm respectively.

He says they took an HP laptop and a wallet before they left.

According to Shuping, Ngakale was arrested later that day and he was found in possession of a firearm, the laptop and the wallet with Mokgadinyane’s police identification card.

He says further investigations led to the arrested of two other suspects, who they were acquitted after the court found there was not enough evidence to link them to the crime.

OFM News