The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) in the Free State, Major General Mokgadi Bokaba, has welcomed the sentencing of two Lesotho nationals convicted for their involvement in the armed robbery of a Post Office and for being in the country illegally.
Teboho Mosiane (30) and Lehlohonolo Phillimon Masenyetse (36) were found guilty on charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances and contravening the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 on 20 February 2026. The Thaba Nchu Regional Court handed down the sentence on 26 February 2026.
The convictions stem from an incident in September 2020. According to court proceedings, three armed suspects entered the Thaba Nchu Post Office while employees were on duty. The suspects threatened the manager with a firearm and demanded cash. They instructed the manager to lead them to the safe, from which they removed a bag containing money. Before fleeing the scene, the suspects also robbed three employees of their cellphones.
Later that day, members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, along with Selosesha Visible Policing and the Tactical Response Team, acted on information received. The multidisciplinary team cornered and arrested Mosiane and Masenyetse. Cash amounting to R270,000 and three cellphones were recovered during the arrest.
Major General Bokaba commended the multidisciplinary team and the investigating officer for their efforts in ensuring a successful prosecution.
In sentencing, the court handed down the following penalties:
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Robbery with aggravating circumstances: Both accused were sentenced to 11 years of direct imprisonment.
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Contravention of the Immigration Act: Each accused was sentenced to a fine of R1,000 or six months’ imprisonment.
The court further ordered that both individuals be deported to Lesotho upon the completion of their custodial sentences.