Welkom. – A convicted murderer was sentenced to 18 years in prison by the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein yester, following which his assistance led to arrest of a second man linked to the crime, police said.

Palo Phillip Ramaoto, 30, had been found guilty of shooting and killing 51-year-old Muzi Gao at his shop in Welkom on March 11 last year, police spokesperson Stephen Thakeng said.

Ramaoto, from Ficksburg, entered Gao’s shop posing as a customer and without saying a word, drew his firearm and shot Gao.

"A case of murder was registered at Welkom police station and investigations continued. A tip-off was given to Detective Constable

Tshehla Phahlametsing regarding who the suspect was in the case," he said.

A 27-year-old man, from China, was also arrested but the case was later withdrawn due to insufficient evidence.

After Ramaoto was sentenced, he linked the 27-year-old man to Gao’s murder, as the 27-year-old had allegedly promised Ramaoto R50,000 to kill Gao, but only paid him R10,000.

Around 5.45pm, police arrested the 27-year-old for murder.

He was expected to appear in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court soon. –  SAPS Welkom