Picture: A woman killed at a Supermarket/Generic
By STAFF REPORTER
2 April 2026 – Two assassins were sentenced to imprisonment for a murder and robbery incident that occurred in Kanana Township, near Orkney back in 2021. The tragic incident began when three unknown suspects went into a nearby supermarket on Monday evening, 22 November 2021 and pointed people with firearms.
The North West police spokesperson, Constable Thuto Bobelo said the suspects shot and killed a woman (34) before fleeing with items from the supermarket and the handbag of the victim. Bobelo said the victim was transported to Klerksdorp Hospital and was declared dead upon arrival.
“The police opened and registered a murder and robbery case docket. The matter was handed over to the Provincial Anti-Gang Investigation Unit and extensive investigations were conducted with positive results.
“The investigative expertise of the team successfully located the whereabouts of the suspects and identified them as hired Basotho assassins. An operation between Provincial Anti-Gang Investigation Unit and Flying Squad commenced and led to the arrest of two men on 27 January 2023,” he said.
He further said during the arrest, the suspects were found in possession of four shotguns, one revolver, two explosive tubes, one detonator, 105 ammunition for R5 rifle, 29 revolver ammunition and 20 ammunition for AK-47 rifle. Bobelo added that on 30 March 2026, two men aged between 34 and 35 were sentenced by the Klerksdorp Regional Court.
“The accused, Bokang Samson Sakhele (35) was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years imprisonment for robbery, 15 years imprisonment for possession of explosives, 15 years imprisonment for possession of firearms, seven years imprisonment for possession of ammunition and two years imprisonment for Contravention of Immigration Act.
“Another accused, Taeta John Ramaema (34) was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for possession of explosives, 15 years imprisonment for possession of firearms, seven years imprisonment for possession of ammunition and two years imprisonment for Contravention of Immigration Act,” he said.
Bobelo said in addition, the two men were declared unfit to possess firearms. He said the sentences of Sakhele will run concurrently with count 1.
“On the other hand, the sentences of Ramaema will run concurrently with count 3,” he said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo praised the investigating officers Warrant Officer Buti Matlhoko and Warrant Officer Aupanyana Elias Lebitso for emerging victorious through the complex investigation and thanked the team for bringing the perpetrators to justice. Naidoo further reaffirmed that the police will stop at nothing to attain safer communities and continue to protect its inhabitants.
The Guardian 