LENGTHY SENTENCE FOR MURDER AND ROBBERY OF FORMER POLICE OFFICER

20 May 2025

LENGTHY SENTENCE FOR MURDER AND ROBBERY OF FORMER POLICE OFFICER

Theunissen, Free State – The Theunissen Regional Court has convicted and sentenced Terry Jabulani Ngomane (37) for the murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances of a pensioner and former police officer, following a brutal attack on 13 May 2018.

Ngomane received a sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment for murder and 10 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances. The court ordered that five years of the robbery sentence run concurrently with the murder sentence, resulting in an effective sentence of 25 years behind bars.

The crime occurred when the victim was violently attacked at his home in Theunissen. He was tied with cables, assaulted, and left for dead. His body was discovered the next day, and it was evident that his home had been ransacked, with a firearm and cellphone stolen.

A significant breakthrough came when investigators traced the victim’s cellphone. The SIM card had been inserted into Ngomane’s phone the day after the incident. Further investigation revealed that Ngomane’s phone had been active at both the victim’s residence and his own home on the night of the murder.

During questioning, Ngomane attempted to destroy evidence by swallowing a SIM card. Despite his efforts to conceal the truth, the prosecution secured a conviction based on strong circumstantial evidence.

In delivering the sentence, Regional Magistrate Susan Meintjies considered a victim impact statement submitted by the deceased’s sister. The statement, prepared with the assistance of Court Preparation Officer Nono Sebego, highlighted the emotional trauma and lasting impact of the crime on the victim’s family.

The prosecution team, led by Advocate Edwin Munyai and Ms. Itumeleng Maklein, commended the investigators' dedication and welcomed the conviction, reinforcing the NPA’s commitment to securing justice for violent crime victims.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) remains steadfast in its mission to combat violent crime and ensure that perpetrators face the full consequences of their actions.

Issued by:

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