By Teboho Moloi
TSHWANE – Police killers must face the full might of the law and receive sentences strong enough to send an unequivocal message that South Africa will not tolerate attacks on those who protect its communities.
This was the stern warning from Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane during the 2026 Police Commemoration Day at the Union Buildings on Sunday, 6 September, where the South African Police Service (SAPS) honoured 12 officers killed in the line of duty between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026.
Dimpane applauded the courts for the recent conviction and sentencing of three men linked to the brutal killing of two QwaQwa police officers, Constables Sipho Mohapi and Gedione Motloung, who were attached to Namahadi Visible Policing.
The two officers were shot and killed on Saturday, 4 January 2025, while responding to a house robbery.
A Lesotho national, Pakiso Lethako, 34, together with Mpho Richard Mosia, 31, and Kabelo Anthony Matasane, 29, were convicted by the Free State High Court sitting in Harrismith for their involvement in the killings and a series of related offences.
The charges included two counts of murder, attempted murder, house robbery, robbery of a police service pistol, theft and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as illegal immigration in Lethako’s case.
The trio each received two life sentences for murder and two life sentences for attempted murder, as well as 15 years’ imprisonment for house robbery and another 15 years for robbery of a service pistol.
Lethako received additional sentences for illegal possession of ammunition, possession of a prohibited firearm, contravention of the Immigration Act and theft of a firearm. Mosia was also sentenced for illegal possession of ammunition and possession of a prohibited firearm.
Dimpane said the sentences demonstrated that violence against police officers would not go unanswered.
“The recent conviction and sentencing of the trio to four life sentences for the murder of two Free State police officers is a powerful reminder that accountability must follow every act of violence against our members,” said Dimpane.
President Cyril Ramaphosa urged police officers not to be discouraged by the loss of colleagues, calling on them to remain focused on their constitutional mandate to prevent, combat and protect communities from crime.
He stressed that police courage must be matched by adequate training, resources, equipment, effective systems, strong leadership and modern technology.
“The nation applauds you, recognises you and sees the sacrifices you take daily. We see you as the government and the country, and we thank you,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa also addressed trainees from the SAPS Tshwane Academy who attended the commemoration, telling them that the country was proud of their decision to join the police service at a critical time.
He said the new recruits would strengthen SAPS by bringing fresh knowledge, skills, intelligence, values and integrity into the service while helping restore public confidence in the police.
Government also highlighted a significant decline in police killings over recent years, while reiterating the need to protect officers who put their lives on the line to keep communities safe.
