By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
Six people who were arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Koketso Ntsimane (37) were sentenced to jail by the North West High Court sitting in Mogwase on 7 November 2023. On 27 October 2021, Ntsimane went missing in Mapaputle village, outside Mogwase.
North West police spokesperson, Captain Aafje Botma said, that although Ntsimane’s motor vehicle was also stolen, it was later recovered. Botma said, the subsequent investigation into the matter, led to the arrest of Ali Banda (55), Thabang Masiane (28), Tshepiso Mqoma (29), Kagiso Morutlwa (28), Solomon Lambane (57), and Thabang Mokoka (31).
“The suspects were arrested on 7 and 8 December 2021. Further investigation into the matter, led the police to the discovery of Ntsimane’s badly decomposed body in the bushes in Mapaputle village.
“The accused’s bail applications were successfully opposed. Thus, they have been in custody since their arrest. Banda, Masiane, and Mqoma were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. They were further sentenced to 15 years for robbery aggravating, 5 for defeating the ends of justice, and another 5 years imprisonment for kidnapping,” she said.
Botma further said, that Morutlwa, Lambane, and Mokoka, were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for robbery aggravating, and kidnapping.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, and the Director for Public Prosecution, Dr Rachel Makhari, applauded the investigation team led by Captain Lefty Motswadi of Mogwase Detectives, as well as advocate Baitsi Chulu and advocate Dibuseng Ntsala from prosecution for their collaboration that resulted in the conviction.
They further pointed out that the sentence, which was secured through collective efforts by the entities, will definitely send a clear message that, those who commit crimes will not be tolerated.
The Guardian 