The Free State High Court has brought to book yet another convict linked to the murder of former Moroka Swallows FC player Alfred Lejoni Helepi.
Ntsane Togowe was found guilty in a trial held from 19 to 21 April.
Sentencing has been set for 10 May, pending arguments by Togowe’s legal team and the state regarding mitigating and aggravating circumstances.
Togowe handed himself over to the police in Bloemfontein in 2018 after widespread reports that he was wanted in connection with Helepi’s murder. He was initially charged with murder and armed robbery with aggravating circumstances, but was granted bail of R1 000.
In October of the same year, however, he mysteriously disappeared in the Free State High Court while on trial for the brutal murder. A warrant for his rearrest was consequently issued.
Investigation revealed that Togowe had fled to Lesotho by utilising false information about his real identity to evade arrest.
After four years in hiding, Togowe was arrested by the police of the neighbouring country and repatriated to South Africa on 8 December to stand trial for Helepi’s murder.
He was remanded in custody for the duration of the trial.
Of the five suspects linked to Helepi’s murder on 29 March 2016, Togowe is the second culprit to be convicted.
Andile Banzini Gxamza from the Eastern Cape is already serving an effective 25-year sentence after his conviction in June 2019.
Three Lesotho nationals, Dira Moreenyane, Nthabiseng Lempe and Alice Majake, are still on the run.
- All five suspects were released from custody in 2016 due to puzzling developments. The state was also believed to have bungled the case by appointing two state presiding officers who were reportedly unfamiliar with details of the case.
