| 2024/03/21 |
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Media Statement
POTCHEFSTROOM – The Provincial Commissioner of Police in North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the 15 years imprisonment sentences handed by the Bafokeng Regional Court in Tlhabane to Letlhogonolo Kole (27) and Olifilwe Moremi (32) respectively. In the first sentence on Wednesday, 20 March 2024, the court imposed 15 years direct imprisonment on Kole. The convict was arrested following an incident wherein he stabbed a male patron several times with a sharp object following an argument they had at a tavern on Sunday, 05 February 2023, at Lefaragatlhe village outside Tlhabane. The victim was consequently transported to Bafokeng Health Centre where he was declared dead on arrival. Kole was later arrested. Upon being sentenced, the court declared him unfit to possess firearm in terms of section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000). In the second and last sentence, the court also handed down direct 15 years imprisonment to Olifilwe Moremi, on Wednesday, 20 March 2024, for the murder of his friend. The court heard that the convict was with friends including the victim (Tshwarelo Ditshwene) at a tavern when an argument ensued during a dice game in December 2016 at Monakato, near Mogwase. It was at that point that Ditshwene and his friend went home, but unaware that Moremi was following them. Upon arrival at Ditshwene’s parental house, the accused attacked the pair with a knife and ultimately stabbed Ditshwene to death. The incident was reported to the police who arrested Moremi shortly after the incident. After being released on bail, he used a television programme to ask for forgiveness from the family. However, he was found guilty and sentenced. In addition to the murder sentence, he was given five years for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. Both sentences are to run concurrently. Moremi was similarly declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded both Investigating Officers; Detective Captain Daniel Koloi and Detective Sergeant Kefilwe Rampete as well as the Prosecutor, Advocate Zola Mpayipheli who prosecuted both cases, for their sterling work that resulted in the convictions. He indicated that the South African Police Service (SAPS) and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will continue to collaborate to ensure that criminals are put behind bars.
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