Klerksdorp Record, Kanana - Two Lesotho citizens were sentenced last week for shooting and killing a Zama Zama runner in Kanana and being in possession of explosives.
Theko Ernest Mofololo Makaka (36) and Thuso Nhlapo (28) were arrested early last year, a few months after the murder of Molifi Moshounyana (34) at Z Section near a tavern in November 2022. He was supplying food to illegal miners working underground.
“Through thorough investigations by the Anti-Gang Unit, Makaka was identified as a suspect in the shooting. He was arrested during a crime intelligence operation by members of Potchefstroom K9, after following up on information about a person who was in possession of illegal firearms. The members searched a house in Z section in Kanana, where they found a plastic bag with explosives. Makaka and Nhlapo, who are both Lesotho citizens, were arrested,” said Col Adele Myburgh, police spokesperson.
It was established that both of them were in the country illegally. Makaka was handed down a life sentence for murder. Both received 15 years imprisonment for possession of explosives and two years’ imprisonment for contravention of the immigration act.
The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt-Genl Sello Kwena, and the Director for Public Prosecution, Dr Rachel Makhari applauded the Anti-Gang Unit’s Det WO Tumi Mashaba, Potchefstroom K9 members as well as Cassius Mona, for their collaboration and diligence that resulted in the arrest and conviction of the two men.
