Hope Ntanzi|Published
Two Lesotho nationals have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murders of two men at the Maseru Bridge Port of Entry in the Free State in June 2024, following their extradition from Lesotho to face trial in South Africa.
Tumelo Tsiu, 32, and Lineo Walatsa, 30, were sentenced in the Ficksburg High Court on October 23, after being convicted of two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.
According to Free State police spokesperson Sergeant Sinah Mpakane, the pair were arrested in Lesotho in July 2024 and brought back to South Africa to face the charges.
How the shooting unfolded at Maseru Bridge
Police were called to the long-distance taxi drop-off point near the border post on June 11, 2024, following reports of a shooting.
On arrival, officers found the bodies of Moholi Mohapi, 31, known as “Bohome”, and Rebone David Sephaka, 40, known as “Serurubele”, lying in a pool of blood next to a taxi they had just alighted.
Police said an unknown number of men allegedly got out of a white Isuzu bakkie and opened fire on passengers leaving a taxi travelling from Johannesburg before fleeing in the vehicle.
Ladybrand police later intercepted the bakkie on the R26 near Manyatseng. However, two suspects fled into the darkness, leaving the driver behind.
A search of the vehicle uncovered a 9mm firearm, which was confiscated. The driver, identified as Seun Gert Moloi, 30, was arrested and appeared in the Ladybrand Magistrate’s Court, where he was granted bail of R8,000.
Mpakane also stated that Moloi died after being shot five times two weeks before the trial commenced.
Court sentences accused to life imprisonment
Tsiu and Walatsa were each sentenced to life imprisonment for the two murders and the two attempted murders.
They were found not guilty of possessing an unlicensed firearm and conspiracy to commit murder. Both were also sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment for contravening the Immigration Act.
The charges against the pair included the murders of Mohapi and Sephaka, the attempted murders of two other men identified as Mr Sekantsi and Mr Pitso, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, conspiracy to commit murder and contravention of the Immigration Act.
The case first appeared in the Ladybrand Magistrate’s Court on January 7, 2025, before being postponed to January 13 for the appointment of legal representation.
The prosecution involved investigating officer Warrant Officer M.D. Machalotsa, prosecutor Advocate Lucky Bontes and Judge Mbhele.
Extradition followed cooperation between police agencies
Mpakane said the extradition process involved cooperation between South African and Lesotho law enforcement agencies.
“The extradition follows months of meticulous collaboration between SAPS and Lesotho law enforcement agencies, facilitated through international legal frameworks,” police said.
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za
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