Tumelo Bernard Ntsaoane (36), an illegal immigrant from Lesotho in the Republic of South Africa, was sentenced to spend life time behind bars for the murder of an employee of Deparmemt of Community Safety Roads and Transport by High Court Free State Division in Bloemfontein.
During the evening of Friday 15 July 2023, members at Wepener Frontline Service Center received and attended to a shooting incident complaint in Geyer Street Qibing Location. On arrival at the scene, the members found the body of an African male lying in a pool of blood with gunshot wound on the left side of his chest. The Free State Provincial Traffic Department officer, James Zola Singaphi, was declared dead on the scene by Emergency Service Personnel. Local Criminal Record Center experts processed the scene and three spent cartridges were collected as evidence.
A case docket of Murder was opened at Wepener Police Station, and the Mangaung Metro Trio Task Team was tasked to complete the investigation. The team led by Lieutenant Colonel Rankhala Ramasoala diligently completed the intricate investigation and a lengthy court process started.
On Thursday 19 June 2025 Free State High Court found Tumelo Bernard Ntsaoane guilty of Murder and Contravention of Immigration Act, and sentencing was reserved. The Court then sentenced Tumelo to life imprisonment for Murder and two years imprisonment for being an illegal immigrant on Friday 13 June 2025. Tumelo was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.