Staff reporter
Bloemfontein – The murder of Moeketsi Selemela who was kidnapped in his house in daylight and the failure by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to crack this case has left little to no faith in the Security and Justice.
Selemela was kidnapped in Fichardtpark, Bloemfontein at around 08H00 on Sunday, 17 July 2022, and his lifeless body was found a few hours later on the neck of N1 North about 1 km from Makro turnoff with his face covered and a bullet in his head.
Information provided by the SAPS about the complaint (wife) reads:
“On the said date and time she went out to her entrance gate for a walk.
As she opened the gate an African male approached her carrying a pistol in his hand. He told her to go back into the house. When in the house, he pointed her with the pistol. A second suspect arrived at the gate and the first suspect opened it for him. This suspect stayed outside the house. The suspect told her he wants her husband. She told him her husband is not living there to which the suspect told her he knows.
He instructed her to call her husband and tell him to come to the house as their 4-year-old daughter is sick. She did as she was told. Her husband arrived and entered the kitchen. The second suspect who was hiding outside pushed him into the house and he fell. A struggle started. Her husband was strangled and she told him to stay still. The suspects told them they will not hurt them they just want R40 000-00. She told them they don’t have that money. Her husband told them they can take his car key and bank cards.
The suspects assaulted them. She offered the suspect R1450 but that is not the money they wanted. The suspect tied her husband up and placed something in his mouth and tied a blue plastic bag around his mouth. The suspect took her to her daughter’s room where he also tied a blue plastic bag around her mouth. The suspect locked her with her children in the room. After a while, she heard a vehicle leaving. She called for help but no one assisted. She broke open the door with a hockey stick and pressed the panic button.
The security company took long to arrive. She noticed that her husband, the suspects, and his vehicle were gone. She ran to the security company’s office which is close to her house but it was closed. As she came back the Security officers arrived.
The complainant phoned her husband but his phone was off.”
The police collected one live 9mm round and obtained fingerprints.
A lookout was given for the vehicle of Mr Selemela and it was found on the N1 north, about 1km from the N8 Makro turnoff.
Mr. Selemela was found deceased in the back seat of the vehicle with a gunshot wound to the head. His mouth was still tied with a blue plastic bag and his hands were tied behind his back.
The deceased was declared dead on the scene.
2 spent 9mm cartridges and one 9mm projectile were found in the vehicle.
Three suspects, Thabiso Lemphane, Lehlohonolo Karai, and Selemela’s estranged wife, Tebatso Selemela were arrested on the 19 and 23 September 2022 and later discharged after the police said there is not enough evidence.
At the time of the arrest, the police cited suspicion of conspiracy in the kidnapping and murder.
Selemela and his wife were separated, allegedly in the middle of an acrimonious divorce, and were supposed to have finalized their divorce on 15 July 2022, but his wife allegedly asked for a postponement. He was killed two days later on 17 July 2022.
Who had the motive? Could this be another Rosemary Ndlovu scenario or worse, Senzo Meyiya?
It remains to be seen if the Selemelas would pursue private prosecution or even better get a private investigation with AfriForum.
If you have news or tips please email news@stepupsanews.co.za or WhatsApp 0685000246
We want justice for Moeketsi Selemela