Mayor's murderer gets 21 years
2010-09-02 20:09
Bloemfontein - A Lesotho man was on Thursday sentenced to 21 years' imprisonment by the Bloemfontein High Court for killing Naledi Mayor Motlatsi Motloi.
Free State Hawks spokesperson Sergeant Mmako Mophiring said Senooe Khaka, 24, entered into a plea bargain agreement with the State, which sped-up his prosecution.
Khaka was arrested several weeks after Motloi, 32, was shot dead in front of his house in Wepener at 20:00 on May 3.
Motloi's car was still running and the lights were on when neighbours found him in the doorway of his home, after hearing the shots.
Shortly afterwards, a community tip-off led to the arrests of Naledi municipal official Caroline Mokhothu, 43, and her husband, James, 34.
The Wepener Magistrate's Court has postponed their case until September 13 when a High Court trial date is expected to be set.
They are in police custody.
The Naledi municipality, which includes Dewetsdorp, Wepener and Vanstadensrus, has been plagued by infighting between councillors, municipal officials and workers since 2006.
Recently, by-elections were held to elect a new council. The provincial government disbanded the previous town council after Motloi's murder.
An administrator was also appointed to run the municipality's affairs.
- SAPA