Two males were recently sentenced to life by the Botshabelo Regional Court for the murder of Vusi Johannes Molotsi, aged 35.
The victim was visiting a friend in Section L, Botshabelo, on 3 July 2016. At about 20:45, as they were sitting, there was a knock on the door. The victim went to open the door and noticed it was his girlfriend. He told his friend that he was leaving as he needed to talk to her.
Shortly after they had left, the friend was informed by his neighbours that the victim was being assaulted. He went out to look for his friend and found Vusi Molotsi, aged 35, with open wounds on his head. The police and emergency medical services were summoned to the scene. The vctim was taken to a local hospital and died upon arrival. A case of murder was opened for investigation and assigned to Detective Constable Molahlwe Maqekoane from Botshabelo.
Upon a preliminary investigation it emerged that the victim had taken the girlfriend’s cellphone after which she brought along her brother and a friend who were there to assist her to get her cellphone back. An argument started and Tankiso Tsubane, aged 22, and Goitsemang Morabe, aged 22, allegedly assaulted the victim with knobkerries.
D/Cst Maqekoane followed on the information received and managed to apprehend Tsubane and Morabe 16 July 2016. They were found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment on 15 February 2018.
Major-General Tholie Afonso, Free State Police Acting Provincial Commissioner, welcomed the sentencing and encouraged investigators to continue sending a clear message that crime does not pay by and by ensuring that criminals are removed from society.
Issued by Selosesha Communication, Marketing and Liaison
