By Teboho Moloi
THABA NCHU — Two Lesotho nationals who carried out an armed robbery at the Thaba Nchu Post Office have been sentenced to 11 years’ direct imprisonment.
Teboho Mosimane (30) and Lehlohonolo Masenyetse (36) were convicted in the Thaba Nchu Regional Court on Friday, 26 February, for robbery with aggravating circumstances linked to a September 2020 heist in which R270,000 was stolen.
The court heard that the armed suspects stormed the post office, pointed a firearm at the manager and forced access to the safe, fleeing with a bag of cash. Three employees were also robbed of their cellphones.
Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti said members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, assisted by Selosesha Visible Policing and the Tactical Response Team, acted swiftly.
The pair were arrested later the same day, with the full cash amount and three cellphones recovered.
In addition to the 11-year sentence, each accused was fined R1,000 or sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for contravening the Immigration Act.
The court further ordered that both be deported to Lesotho after completing their custodial sentences.
Free State Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Mokgadi Bokaba, welcomed the sentences, praising the multidisciplinary team and investigators for securing justice after the robbery of a vital community service point.
