Four Lesotho nationals, Ntisa Mothetho (34), Nthoba David Halahala (35), Molupe Meshack Sekati (36) and Mkhate Clovis Mpholo (36), accused of killing a police officer in Ficksburg who previously Abondoned Bail has now decided to apply for bail
All four are set to appear before the Ficksburg Magistrates’ Court on 8 July 2025. In their last court appearance one of the attorneys withdrew from representing one of the accused and at present new attorney to appear for the other accused.
All four were arrested on 01 February 2025 in connection with the killing of a Free State police officer, Constable Rethabile Justice Sephooa who was attached at Ficksburg Crime Intelligence Unit.
According to an earlier reports by the Free State Hawks Spokesperson Fikizwa Matlto the four Lesotho nationals who are in South Africa illegally were arrested by Free State multidisciplinary team led by Hawks’ Serious Organized Crime Investigation together with the North West Tactical Response Team (TRT) and the National Intervention Unit (NIU), after an intense investigation was launched to trace the suspects.
They were located and arrested in Stilfontein, North West, then transferred to Bethlehem.
On 21 January 2025, two unknown African males arrived at the police officer’s place of residence, where one of them shot at the officer two times then both fled the scene.
The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lt General (Dr/ Adv) SG Lebeya appreciated the collective effort and the professional approach applied by the team on ensuring the perpetrators are brought forward to face the arm of the law.
Free State and Northern Cape NPA Regional Spokesperson Mojalefa Senokotsoane said while the matter is still in the district court the case will be sent to the DPP for a decision on where the matter will be trialed (High Court or Regional Court). The state indicated that they will oppose bail at all costs.