The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) welcomes sentences of life imprisonment imposed on three police officers stationed at Tseseng SAPS after they were found guilty of murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Phuthaditjhaba Magistrates Court sentenced three sergeants, Mbekeni Canuel Dladla (46), Bongani Selby Zondo (36) and Richard Mohau Baleni (41), to life imprisonment for murder of Thabo Moses Mopeli (50).

The three police officers were further sentenced to 12 months imprisonment each, for three counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

On 21 May 2022, the deceased and the victims of assault, Thapelo Sekete and Thabang Mopeli, both aged 32, were walking to a tavern at around 12h00 when they were stopped by the three police officers.

The police officers arrested Sekete and Thabang Mopeli for drinking in public and the deceased (Thabo Mopeli) was arrested on allegations of business robbery.

The officers assaulted the three men, and Thabo Mopeli was kicked and hit with a butt of a firearm. They were forced into a police bakkie and driven to Tseseng Police Station where the assault continued.

Thabo Mopeli was seriously injured and he died from his injuries at the police station. A case of death in police custody was opened and IPID took over the case for investigation. The case was referred to the prosecutors after investigation and the three police officers were charged for murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The police officers were found guilty and sentenced to an effective life imprisonment after the sentences were ordered to run concurrently. They were also declared unfit to possess firearms.

Media enquiries:
Phaladi Shuping 078 459 7772
pshuping@ipid.gov.za