The estranged wife of slain athlete Moeketsi Selemela is the third suspect arrested regarding her late husband’s kidnapping and murder on 17 July.
Tebatso Selemela (41), Lehlohonolo Karai (21) and Thabiso Lemphane (41) are set to reappear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court today (28/09), to apply for bail.
Tebatso briefly appeared in court on Friday (23/09), following her arrest the day prior, after the two men’s arrest on 19 September at their respective residences in Bloemfontein.
Sgt Mahlomola Kareli, provincial police spokesperson, said arrests by the provincial police’s organised crime unit followed information received, adding that more arrests were imminent with the ongoing investigation.
The trio remain in custody and face charges of murder, house robbery, kidnapping and motor vehicle theft.
Kareli said the investigation into circumstances surrounding the murder would further determine if money had been taken, given the fact that Selemela’s murder reportedly started with a house robbery at Fichardtpark.
According to the police statement, the deceased’s wife, Tebatso, had been preparing to go jogging when she was approached by two armed suspects. One suspect pushed her back into the yard at gunpoint and demanded cash.
The police reported that both armed men managed to get her back into the house. According to the police, Tebatso and the two children, aged four and 14 years, were locked in the bedroom with their hands and feet bound.
According to the police statement, Moeketsi (46) unsuspectingly arrived moments later.
The armed men ambushed him and forced him into his Toyota double-cab bakkie at gunpoint. His hands and feet were tied and his head covered with a plastic bag.
Tebatso reportedly managed to escape and went looking for help.
Later on the same day, Moeketsi’s body was found in the rear seat of his bakkie, parked on the N1 outside Bloemfontein.
“After a search, the victim’s dark green Toyota Hilux was spotted parked on the side of the N1 just outside Bloemfontein. He was found with a bullet wound,” said Kareli.
According to the police, the suspects wore face masks so they would not be recognised.
The deceased’s wife and children were not harmed.
Anyone with information can dial 082-468-1624, call Crime Stop on 08600-10111 or leave an anonymous tip on the My SAPS app.
