The Free State High Court sitting in Bloemfontein has sentenced Tumelo Bernard Ntsaoane (36) who is a Lesotho citizen to life imprisonment for the cold-blooded murder of a provincial traffic officer in Wepener, and an additional two years for contravening the Immigration Act. Authorities confirmed on a statement issued on Friday, 20 June 2025.
NPA regional Spokesperson for Free State and Northern Cape Mojalefa Senokotsoane said the case stems from a fatal shooting incident that occurred on Friday, 15 July 2023, in Geyer Street, Qibing Location. Ntsaoane, an illegal immigrant gunned downa James Zola Singaphi, a dedicated officer of the Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport.
According to the law enforcement, the Wepener Frontline Service Centre personnel responded to a call reporting gunshots in the area. They discovered Singaphiโs lifeless body lying in a pool of blood, having suffered a gunshot wound to the left side of the chest. Emergency medical personnel declared him dead at the scene.
Members of the Local Criminal Record Centre processed the crime scene and recovered three spent cartridges believed to be from the firearm used in the attack. A case docket of murder was promptly opened at Wepener Police Station.
The Mangaung Metro Trio Task Team took charge of the investigation. The team was praised for their detailed and methodical work that ultimately led to Ntsaoaneโs arrest and prosecution.
After a lengthy legal process, the Free State High Court found Ntsaoane guilty on 28 March 2025 of both murder and violating South Africaโs Immigration Act. Sentencing was subsequently reserved and handed down on Friday, 13 June 2025.
In addition to the life sentence for murder, the court imposed two yearsโ imprisonment for Ntsaoane’s unlawful presence in the country and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.