By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
28 February 2025- A man (28) sentenced to 52 years by the Mothibistad Regional Court for murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, arson and contravention of Immigration act. The accused, Thabang Lesenyeho was found guilty on all charges.
On 18 June 2023, the police in Batlharos, received a complaint of a house that was burning in Maruping village. Upon arrival at the homestead, the lifeless body of Joseph Dithupe was found lying in a pool of blood in one of the half-burned rooms, with a stab wound on his upper body.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Merapelo Pilane said it was later discovered that some of the house hold items, including sound system, a television set, a cell phone and clothes belonging to the victim were missing. Pilane said Lesenyeho was arrested later on with the assistance of community members.
“Some of the stolen items were recovered. The accused was also found wearing the deceased’s clothes. Lesenyeho was found guilty on all charges, and he was sentenced to 52 years imprisonment.
“The court further ordered that the accused be declared unfit to possess a firearm,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola and her management, welcomed the conviction and appropriate sentence.
Otola applauded Warrant Officer Eunice Ngono and Constable Mpumelelo Maruping from the Provincial Serious and Organized Crime Investigation unit for their hard work and dedication and securing a significant conviction.
The Guardian 