By BAKANG MOKOTO

A man (27) has been sentenced to 27 years imprisonment on 13 February 2024, by the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court for various crimes he committed over the years. Thapelo Francis Sephiri was sentenced on three separate cases, that include housebreaking and house robbery following his arrest on Tuesday, 6 June 2023.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said Sephiri committed his first house breaking between 20 and 25 October 2021 by breaking into a flat in Klerksdorp Central Business District (CBD). Myburgh further said Sephiri forced his entry through a window.

“He then stole electrical equipment, clothing and jewellery. In the second incident reported in the early hours of the morning on Sunday, 7 November 2021, Sephiri also gained entry through the window into another flat, which was also situated on the first floor in the Klerksdorp CBD.

“He pounced on the husband and wife who were asleep in their bedroom and stabbed them both with a knife. In between the couple, their baby girl was sleeping, but was unharmed during the incident. Sephiri ransacked the couple’s home and fled with cash, personal documents and a wallet,” she said.

Myburgh added that, in the last incident reported on 12 November 2021, Sephiri broke the window to gain entry into a church in Flamwood, Klerksdorp and stole cash, inverter and tools.

“Sephiri was arrested after his fingerprints were identified and linked him to all three crime scenes. He was found by the investigation officer inside Klerksdorp Police Station’s holding cells, after being arrested for a separate burglary case, which is still pending.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, thanked the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Rowan Lourens of Klerksdorp Detectives and all other role players, including National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for working together to secure the conviction.

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