By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
28 February 2025- The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West on Friday, applauded the recent conviction of four men found guilty for the brutal murder of two South African Police Service (SAPS) officers, Constable Simon Ntsekeletsa (50) and Sergeant Mojalefa Molete (42) in Mareetsane village, outside Mahikeng.
The civil society led body advocating for ethical, moral leadership and accountability called for stiffer sentences for the culprits found guilty of multiple charges, including stock theft, robbery with aggravating circumstances, two counts of kidnapping, two counts of murder, defeating the ends of justice, malicious damage to property and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The Convenor of the MRM Provincial Interim Committee, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said, they trust that the court will send an unambiguous message that the killing of the police, who are the last defence. Kgwele said the police are the protectors of the communities against senseless violent crime and threatening them is not only a heinous crime, but a despicable and abhorrent crime that undermines the authority of the state.
“The accused persons are expected to be sentenced in the North West High Court sitting in Mahikeng on 7 March 2025. If such barbaric acts are not dealt with harshly and decisively to serve as a strong deterrent, it could see communities slide towards anarchy and lawlessness.
“The Ntsekeletsa and Molete families will only find closure knowing that their loved ones did not die in vain when justice concomitant with the severity of the heartless crimes is served,” he said.
Kgwele further said nothing short of a harsher and befitting sentence will send a resounding message of zero tolerance to police killings, as well as restore public confidence in the criminal justice system. He added that, Benjamin Kemeels Jacobs (45) Gaorekwe Jeremiah Mongale (28), Rapula George Keaikitse (27) and Matthews Modukanele(23), murdered the two officers in cold blood without any regard for the sanctity of their lives.
“Such callous and heinous acts undermine community values, and the spirit of Ubuntu that should characterise safer and economically viable communities envisaged by the rural safety strategy.
“The conviction stem from a tragic incident on 25 July 2021, when the officers stopped a vehicle carrying 18 goats. The court established that the occupants failed to provide a valid permit for transporting the livestock and were instructed to follow the officers to the police station,” said Kgwele.
He said on the way, the suspects’ vehicle experienced mechanical issues, prompting them to ask the officers for assistance. Kgwele said as one of the officers attempted to secure a tow rope, the suspects attacked both officers with harmers, restrained them with a rope, and tossed the injured pair into the back of the police van.
“They were later found burnt beyond recognition when the vehicle discovered at Mosita Wildlife Farm, near Vryburg. The police investigations led to the arrest of three of the accused at a residence in Logageng village, where a Z88 police service pistol with nine live rounds was also recovered hidden under a mattress.
“The fifth accused said to be the son to accused number one who was 16 years old at the time, turned state witness and provided crucial testimony that assisted the prosecution,” he said.
The Guardian 