A third suspect nabbed for cops’ murder

By Libuseng Nyaka

QWAQWA – Two men accused of murdering Namahadi-based police officers Pakiso Lethako, 33, and Kabelo Marasane, 28, will remain in custody until January 24, 2025.

This follows their brief appearance in the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court on Friday, January 17, 2025, where they were charged with two counts of murder of Constable Gedione Motloung, 39, and Constable Sipho Mohapi, 45, who were allegedly brutally murdered during a shootout while attending to a robbery complaint at Mangaung village on Saturday, January 4, 2025.

Charges of attempted murder and robbery were also added.

Both Motloung and Mohapi have been laid to rest on January 16 and January 17, 2025, respectively.

The arrest of the first accused, Lethako, who is a Lesotho national, was announced by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu at the funeral of Constable Gedione Motloung on Thursday, January 16, 2025, held at St. Martin Roman Catholic Church.

He was arrested near Monontsha village, which shares a border with neighboring Lesotho, while fleeing on horseback. Lethako was found with an illegal firearm, and he has since appeared before Tseki Magistrate’s Court earlier on Friday and later before Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court, where he faced two counts of murder, attempted murder, and robbery alongside Marasane.

A third suspect of the five, a 53-year-old man, has been arrested by police on Friday, January 17, 2025, and is expected to appear before court on Monday, January 20, 2025.

“Police have already arrested a Lesotho national. He was riding a horse, and when he saw police, he fled, but police were able to nab him. He has confessed to the killing of police officers along with four suspects,” Mchunu said while addressing mourners at the funeral of Motloung.