On 10 March 2026, Taung Regional Court has sentenced the accused Tlotlego Ntlhaeng, 26, Vincent Gaanabo, 28, Gofaone Thari, 24, and Oratile Modisamongwe, 22, to two life imprisonments each for two counts of murder, sentences to run concurrently.
Ntlhaeng, Gaanabo, Thari and Modisamongwe were sentenced for their roles in the murders of Kutlo Mogapi, 20, and Tumelo Gaehose, 22.
Investigations revealed on 17 March 2024, the four accused went to a local tavern accompanied by a friend who later turned into a state witness in the Pudimoe location in Taung.
The National Prosecuting Authourity (NPA) spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya indicated that the accused met Gaehose, they attacked him and stabbed him to death.
“After the brutal attack, they left the tavern together with the witness, while on the way from the tavern, they met Kutlo Mogapi (the deceased) and his friends and attempted to rob them. The state witness tried to reprimand them. His attempts to stop them were unsuccessful, violence escalated, and they started to attack them.
“Mogapi was stabbed and succumbed to the injuries whilst on the way to the hospital.”
Police were called, all four accused were arrested on the same day, and they were denied bail.
With all the investigations conducted by police, all four accused pleaded not guilty to charges of murder.
Representing the State Prosecutor, Rebaona Mokgopa, addressed the court on the seriousness of the offence and urged the court to impose sentences which will serve as a deterrent to other like offenders and send a message.
The court concurred with the state, noting that their actions were motivated by nothing but criminality. The court described their actions as senseless, gruesome, and heartless. All four accused were declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of the Firearms Control Act.
Welcoming the sentence, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended Prosecutor Mokgopa and praised the collaborative efforts of law enforcement.
“The NPA remains steadfast in ensuring accountability. Violent crimes will not be tolerated, and perpetrators will face the full might of the law,” said Dr Makhari.
