Three suspects are now linked to the kidnapping and murder of Moeketsi Selemela, with ongoing investigations by the Provincial Organised Crime unit in the Free State. Two of the suspects are men and the third is a woman, arrested regarding the slain member of the Bloemfontein-based Centre City Athletics Club.
They remain in custody and are expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on 28 September. The initial charges against the trio are robbery, kidnapping and murder.
Selemela (46) was kidnapped and murdered on 17 July. Circumstances surrounding his murder are complex. According to the police statement, Selemela’s murder allegedly started with a house robbery whereby one suspect pushed the deceased’s wife, Tebatso Selemela, back into the yard at gunpoint and demanded cash. Apparently, she was preparing to go jogging when she was approached by the armed suspects. She was allegedly locked inside her bedroom with her and Selemela’s two children, aged four- and 14 years, with their hands and feet bound.
The police reported that the woman managed to untie herself and thereafter went out looking for help. Selemela, affectionately known as Kakapa, was later found dead in the rear seat of a Free State-registered Toyota Hilux, parked on the N1 outside Bloemfontein. This was after being kidnapped by two unknown, armed men who allegedly took him at gunpoint from his house in Fichardtpark hours earlier. According to the police, the suspects wore face masks so they would not be recognised.
The deceased’s wife and children were not harmed. According to family members, at the time of the incident Selemela and Tebatso had been separated for a while as they were in the middle of a divorce. The estranged wife stayed at their Fichardtpark house while the deceased stayed at his Brandwag residence.
Thabang Selemela, elder brother of the deceased, reacted to the unfolding events, sharing posts on his Facebook page.
“We trust the process and we are cautiously confident that a successful prosecution will be attained. We will put all our trust in the Lord and the law that justice will be served for our brother Moeketsi. I will always carry you in my heart ngwaneso (bother).”
