A 25-year-old Lesotho national, Bereng Lesuoa, has been sentenced to five years of direct imprisonment after being convicted of armed robbery in the North West province. The verdict was delivered on Monday, January 27, at the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court in Tlhabane.
Lesuoa’s conviction is tied to an armed robbery that took place in the early hours of Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Luka village near Phokeng. During the crime, Lesuoa and his accomplices threatened four men at gunpoint and stole their cash and two cellphones. The crime had left the victims shaken, and it took law enforcement nearly a year to track down the accused. Lesuoa was eventually apprehended in April 2024, following an intensive investigation.
Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, a spokesperson for the police, confirmed that Lesuoa was found guilty after multiple court appearances and was sentenced to five years of direct imprisonment. In addition to the prison sentence, Lesuoa was also declared unfit to possess a firearm under Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000), further emphasizing the gravity of his offense.
The Acting District Commissioner of Bojanala Sub-District 2, Brigadier Mamotsamai Ntoagae, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating that the sentence would serve as a strong deterrent to potential criminals in the region. She praised the efforts of the investigating team, particularly Detective Sergeant Tshepang Badirwang, and the prosecution for their diligence in bringing the case to a successful conclusion.
The conviction is seen as a positive step in the fight against crime in the North West province, with law enforcement reaffirming their commitment to ensuring justice for victims of violent crimes.
