ZiMoja updates on the latest crime news in parts of the country:
FREE STATE: The Free State High Court sentenced mass murderer Kamohelo Motankisi (35) to seven life terms of imprisonment plus 35 years following a mass shooting at Lismore Farm in the Kestell district in July 2022.
Motankisi from Tlholong, near Kestell, was convicted on 12 counts, including seven counts of murder, housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery under aggravating circumstances, two counts of sexual offences, possession of an unlicensed firearm and housebreaking with intent to steal and theft.
The provincial police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring said Motankisi and his co-accused, Tseko Lerato Selepe were arrested on 15 July 2022 for the murder of six people.
"The two posted their photos on social media in possession of a firearm stolen on the farm after the commission of the horrific crime. They further went to another farm where they broke entry into another property and stole some items. Selepe was sentenced to effective 30 years of direct imprisonment on 13 March by the same court."
WESTERN CAPE: The Knysna Regional Court in the Western Cape sentenced Thamsanqa Eric Booi to 18 years direct imprisonment for beating his wife, Gqabisa Dayimani, to death with a knobkierie after he found WhatsApp messages on her phone which revealed infidelity.
State Prosecutor, Candice Simon, who secured the conviction said the gruesome incident took place in their home in Happy Valley, Knysna. on 26b December 2023. The court heard that after the assault, the couple went to sleep. However, Dayimani, was so severely assaulted that she died of her injuries due to internal bleeding.
The couple had four minor children who were being taken care of by their maternal grandmother and aunt, who struggles financially to look after the children.
LIMPOPO: An intelligence-driven operation has resulted in the arrest of two suspects wanted for multiple crimes, including rape, house robbery and burglary in the Sebayeng policing area, outside Mankweng.
SAPS spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the first suspect, a 27-year-old male, is linked to three counts of rape, as well as cases of house robbery, business robbery and intimidation.
Ledwaba said the suspect was apprehended at Ga-Skororo village, where police confiscated an illegal firearm believed to have been used in the crimes, along with stolen items, including a plasma TV and cellphones.
Ledwaba said the second suspect, aged 36, was wanted for rape that occurred in August and was also arrested in the Sebayeng area during the operation.
