FREE STATE – Eight men visited a shebeen for their drinking spree and a fight arose amongst them. The shebeen owner tried to intervene but he was fatally wounded with his wife.

On 14 June 2022 a group of eight men went to a shebeen for their drinks. The 63-year-old shebeen owner who was a former mine worker, his 40-year-old wife and 20-year-old daughter were present. While these men were busy drinking an argument erupted and the shebeen owner tried to stop them from fighting and chased them out of his yard. One of them drew a firearm and fatally wounded the shebeen owner, the assailant ensured that he was dead by severally firing shots at a close range. They went inside and attempted to rape his wife but could not succeed. She was also fatally wounded inside the shebeen. The assailants took alcohol, grocery, cash and the daughter was forced out of the shebeen to a nearby bush. They tried to rape her but a police vehicle passed by and they left her and disappear into the bush.

A case of double murder, house robbery and attempted rape was registered for further investigation. Welkom Serious and Violent Crimes Unit was assigned to investigate the case which led to seven suspects being arrested. The eighth suspect aged 32 was arrested at Stilfontein in North West.

The suspects were found guilty as charged by the Welkom Regional Court. The case against the seven suspects is still running and will sentence on13 May 2022.

The eighth suspect, Mr Phoka Lekoba (32) was sentenced by the Welkom Regional Court as follows: Murder and Robbery to effective 22 years in jail.

The Provincial Commissioner of the Free State, Lieutenant General BB Motswenyane applauded the members for their thorough investigation which led to the arrests of these murderers and armed robbers.

Source: South African Police Service