A Lesotho national was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by the by the Mothibistad Regional Court for murder, robbery and arson.
Image: DFA, picture created with DALL-E
THE NATIONAL Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has provided further details regarding the sentencing of Lesotho national Thabang Lesenyeho, who was convicted of a violent crime that shook the Maruping village community.
The 26-year-old Lesenyeho was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by the Mothibistad Regional Court for murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, arson, and contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.
NPA regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane stated on Monday that the incident occurred on June 18, 2023, in Maruping village, Kuruman.
He said that the deceased, Siphiwe Joseph Dithupe, was last seen with Lesenyeho at a local tavern.
“The accused, along with an accomplice - who was also a Lesotho national - went to Dithupe’s home, where they fatally stabbed him, stole several valuables, and set his house on fire before fleeing to Diamond View, a nearby village,” said Senokoatsane.
He added that neighbours alerted the police when they noticed smoke coming from the house.
“Community members and the deceased’s friends tracked the suspects' footprints for approximately 20 kilometres to Diamond View, where they executed a citizen’s arrest. During the arrest, members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT) fatally shot the accused’s accomplice.”
Senokoatsane stated that during sentencing, State prosecutor Emmanuel Gabobonwe argued that the brutal and cold-blooded nature of the crime warranted a severe sentence.
“Lesenyeho was sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment for murder, 25 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, and 10 years for arson. Additionally, he received a concurrent sentence for contravention of the Immigration Act.
“The court ruled that the sentences for robbery, arson, and immigration violations would run concurrently with the murder sentence.”
Senokoatsane emphasised that the NPA remained committed to ensuring that perpetrators of violent crimes faced swift and appropriate justice.