Katlego Sebolai (32), Keobakile Obuseng (25), and Neo Dikwidi (22), were each given sentences by the Mothibistad Regional Court in Kuruman on 19 May.

The sentences are 25 years for murder, 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, 7 years for kidnapping, 10 years for illegally owning a firearm, and 8 years for illegally possessing ammunition.

All three were also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

On 10 June 2019, they approached a man who was leaving a store in the village of Batlharos, close to Kuruman.

The National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, said the man was held at gunpoint, hijacked, and placed in the boot of his vehicle.

“The accused demanded the victim’s bank card and PIN and made cash withdrawals at an ATM. They drove around with him before they decided to park the car at one of their homes.”

After a missing person and stolen car case were opened on 11 June 2022, the police began a search.  

“The vehicle was spotted at Damros Village, Mothibistad, and upon approaching the vehicle, one of the suspects pointed a firearm. He was shot by one of the police officers and died on the scene while the others were arrested.”

Senokoatsane says the accused were charged with the murder of the suspect because their actions led to him being shot by the police.

The Northern Cape provincial head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Steve Mabuela, welcomed the collective 195-year jail sentence imposed on the accused.

OFM News