Assault of suspected intruder leads to life sentences for North West men

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ExpandTwo men have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a 25-year-old man they kidnapped and assaulted, suspecting him of trespassing on their property in North West. Picture: 123rf Story audio is generated using AI

Two men who kidnapped and brutally assaulted a 25-year-old man they suspected of trespassing on a property in North West have been sentenced to life imprisonment for his murder.

The Lehurutse regional court sentenced Pholoso Lekana, 39, and Tshepo Ramatiti, 42, to life imprisonment for murder and an additional five years for kidnapping. The sentences will run concurrently.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lindiwe Mabasa said the convictions stemmed from an incident on November 25 2023, when Lekana allegedly heard noises outside his home and suspected an intruder on his property.

“When he went to investigate, he found Orapeleng Sebogodi in his yard. Lekana, who knew Sebogodi, called a third accused, Oageng Mereyohle, 37, to help apprehend him,” said Mabasa.

During the proceedings, the court said Sebogodi managed to flee after allegedly spraying the men with pepper spray.

Lekana and Mereyohle then went to a nearby tavern, where they fetched Ramatiti and Lekana’s girlfriend to help search for Sebogodi.

They eventually found him alongside the road, where they allegedly grabbed and assaulted him before forcing him into the boot of Lekana’s vehicle and drove him back to his residence.

The court further heard that at the property, Sebogodi was tied to a tree and further assaulted with knives, a car jack and a panga, sustaining multiple injuries.

Witnesses who saw the attack alerted his family, who rushed to the scene in an attempt to rescue him. They found him covered in blood, severely weakened and unable to walk.

He was taken for medical treatment but later died from his injuries.

All three accused were arrested and pleaded not guilty. The state presented witnesses and evidence to prove that they had acted with a common purpose in assaulting Sebogodi.

While Lekana and Ramatiti denied brutally assaulting him, Mereyohle admitted to participating in the attack.

The court found that the accused had taken the law into their own hands without justification, as there was no evidence that Sebogodi had stolen anything from Lekana’s property. No stolen property or other items suggesting that he had committed theft were found in his possession.

The trial of Mereyohle was separated after allegations that he suffered from a mental disorder, allowing the court to address concerns about his mental condition.

North West director of public prosecutions Dr Rachel Makhari welcomed the sentences, saying they sent a strong message that violence and murder within communities would not be tolerated.

She also commended investigating officer Sgt Motsatsi Modibetsane of the SA Police Service and prosecutor Neo Sedumedi for their work in securing the convictions.

Mabasa said the NPA will continue pursuing the prosecution of those who undermine the right to life through violence and vigilantism.

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