| 2025/03/19 |
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Media Statement NORTHERN CAPE – 18 March 2025, Upington Division of the High Court sentenced Chidi Emmanuel Okafor (38) to life imprisonment for killing a police officer in Keimoes. The crime occurred in January 2020, a police officer who was attached to Upington Public Order Policing (POP) and his friend were attacked by the accused while sleeping. The deceased lost his life as a result of being stabbed while his friend got away with serious injuries from the incident. He was charged with housebreaking with intent to commit murder, attempted murder and murder. The accused disappeared after the brutal crime. Upington Hawks Serious Organised Crime members were tasked with the tracing and investigation of the matter. The suspect was traced to Klerksdorp, where he was arrested and brought back for a lengthy trial. Mr Okafor was convicted in August 2024 and sentenced in 18 March 2025 with a final verdict of life imprisonment on the main charge and 10 years imprisonment on the charge of attempted murder. The sentence will run concurrently. In an unrelated matter, still in ZF Mgcawu Policing District, Jan-Ray April (28) was convicted on two counts of fraud by Upington Regional Court on the same date of 18 March 2025. The accused person bought two vehicles amounting to R749 999, using fraudulent documents such as confirmation of employment and employment contract. The two vehicles were later repossessed after investigation by Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team. A reputable vehicle finance house suffered a potential loss of R749 999. Mr April was found guilty on both counts and sentenced to 6 years imprisonment, wholly suspended for 5 years on condition that he is not convicted on the same offence again during the period of suspension, to compensate the finance house a loss amount of R258 000 and in terms of Section 103 (1) of the Firearm Control Act 60 of 2000, the accused is declared unfit to possess a firearm. The Provincial Head of Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Northern Cape Major General Stephen Mabuela applauded the Upington based members for sterling work, “ Killing of Police officers puts a strain in our Crime fighting efforts and can be considered a direct attack on the authority of the state, as such we welcome and appreciate the sentence” he said. Ends
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