By AGISANANG SCUFF
22 July 2026 – Two men from Tsineng village, near Kuruman were sentenced to 12 years imprisonment each by the Kuruman Regional Court for attempted murder. This comes after the accused, Tiisetso Tlhaole (25) and Tlhophang Batsamai (33) brutally assaulted Khumoetsile Aubrey Malekanyo (37) on 28 October 2023.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said a diligent investigative work of Detective Sergeant Khumoetsile Setlhauno of the Batlharos Detective Service led to the successful conviction and sentencing. Litabe said the matter was reported to the police after the victim was admitted to hospital with severe head injuries on the day of the incident.
“The police registered a case of attempted murder and pursued all available leads, which subsequently linked both accused to the attack. The investigation revealed that the two men assaulted the victim by striking him on the head with a rock, leaving him with serious injuries.
“The court found both accused guilty of attempted murder and sentenced each of them to twelve years imprisonment of which four years were suspended for five years on condition that they are not convicted of attempted murder or a similar offence committed during the period of suspension,” he said.
Litabe further said they were also declared unfit to possess firearms. He added that the accused will each serve an effective eight years imprisonment.
Meanwhile, the acting John Taolo Gaetsewe District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Kenneth Baloyi, welcomed the sentence and commended Setlhauno for his dedication and outstanding investigative work, which ensured that justice was served.
The Guardian 