Life Sentence for Police Officers Convicted of Murder and Assault

07 April 2025

Life Sentence for Police Officers Convicted of Murder and Assault

Tseseng, Free State - The Phuthaditjhaba Regional Court has sentenced three members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Sergeant Mbekeni Canuel Dladla (46), Constable Bongani Selby Zondo (36), and Constable Richard Mohau Balene (41) to life imprisonment for the murder of in-custody victim, Thabo Moses Mopeli. They were further sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for each of the three counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH). The court also declared them unfit to possess firearms.

The complainants and victims in this matter, Thapelo Johannes Sekete (32) and Thabang Mopeli (32), allege that on Friday, 21 May 2022, they were walking towards a local tavern when the police van stopped next to them. They were arrested for drinking in public, and they were later joined by Thabo Moses Mopeli after he was arrested for Business Robbery. The witnesses testified that the police started to beat Thabo with a firearm butt and while questioning him about the whereabouts of a firearm. The two witnesses (Thapelo and Thabang) testified that they were also assaulted at the back of the police van by the members of the police. They were then driven to Tseseng SAPS CSC, where the three members continued to assault Thabo until he succumbed to the injuries sustained during this assault.

During the trial, the court found that the officers abused their authority and failed in their constitutional duty to protect the public. Instead, they used excessive and unlawful force, resulting in a senseless and avoidable death. In addition to the criminal convictions, internal disciplinary processes resulted in the officers being sanctioned with two two-month suspensions without pay.

The NPA commends the excellent investigative work of Mr Victor Jabulisa Radebe from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and the sterling prosecution by Regional Court Prosecutor Keiso Abiner Leballo, whose dedication and professionalism ensured that justice was served. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) envisages that this sentence will send a strong message that abuse of power, especially by those entrusted to uphold the law, will not be tolerated. It can never be overemphasized how important human life is, and therefore, the vigorous in our pursuit of these cases serves as a deterrent to would-be murderers.

Issued by:

Mojalefa Senokoatsane

NPA Regional Spokesperson
Free State Division
Email: MSenokoatsane@npa.gov.za
Contact: 073 423 3539