Frimino David Matola (55) was found guilty on multiple serious charges, including the murder of a police officer, two counts of attempted murder, illegal possession of an automatic firearm, possession of ammunition, and contravention of immigration laws.

The charges stem from the fatal shooting of Sgt. Disema Steven Mapane on 6 December 2022 in Thabong, Welkom.

Officer

At the time of the incident, the deceased officer was part of a multidisciplinary law enforcement team made up of members from the Sasolburg public order policing unit, the Bloemfontein Tactical Response Team, and Welkom detectives.

OFM News previously reported the team had been acting on intelligence linked to an armed robbery at a petrol station in Welkom on 24 November 2022, in which Matola had been identified as a suspect.

Acting on the information, officers proceeded to Matola’s residence, where a shootout allegedly broke out between him and police officers. He was later arrested on 21 September 2023 in connection with the murder of the officer.

Free State NPA spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the court took a serious view of the offences. “During the trial, the wife of the deceased testified about the profound emotional and psychological impact that the loss of her husband had on her and their family. 

“The court found no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence in respect of the murder charge and accordingly imposed the prescribed sentence,” said Senokoatsane.

The court also considered the attempted murders of police officials extremely serious.

“The severe sentences imposed on the attempted murder counts further reflect the gravity with which the court viewed the attack on law enforcement officials. Matola is currently detained at the Polokwane correctional facility in relation to a cash-in-transit heist that occurred in Hoedspruit, Limpopo, where he is awaiting trial.” 

The court imposed a life sentence for the murder of Mapane, along with two additional life sentences for the attempted murders of two police officers.

Matola was further sentenced to 15 years' direct imprisonment for the illegal possession of an automatic firearm, identified as an AK-47, as well as 12 months’ imprisonment for possession of unlicensed ammunition and another 12 months for contravening immigration laws.

“In addition, he was declared unfit to possess a firearm.” 

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg

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