Mankweng SAPS officers convicted and sentenced for murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH)

31 Aug 2011

Warrant Officer Bogang Thomas Lekgau (40) and Sergeant Japhet Amos Shingange (48) of South African Police Services Mankweng (Limpopo) have each been convicted and sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for murder and eighteen months for assault GBH at the Polokwane High Court. Their sentences will run concurrently. 

Two of their colleagues, Constable Joseph Maredi Mothapo (27) and Constable Frank Chikele Segoa (27) were convicted on a charge of assault grievous bodily harm (GBH) and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment suspended for five years. 

The officers' convictions follow an investigation by the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) into the death on 25 February 2008 of Samuel Ragophala who was 39 at the time. The deceased and three others were suspects in a housebreaking and theft case that happened at a liquor restaurant on 21 February 2008.

It is alleged that the restaurant owner got information about the robbers and mobilised community members to arrest four suspects (including the deceased). The police alleged that one of the suspects, Samuel Ragophala collapsed following an assault by community members. The other three suspects were taken in for questioning at Mankweng Detective offices, after which they made allegations of assault against the police.

The ICD investigated the incident and referred docket to the Director of Public Prosecution who decided to charge eight police officers for murder and three counts of Assault GBH. The court processes ended today with the sentencing of four police officers. The other four officers who were suspects on the case were acquitted on all charges.

Statement issued by Moses Dlamini, Independent Complaints Directorate national spokesperson, August 31 2011

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