Free State police have issued a stern warning to residents who protect wanted suspects, highlighting the significant impact such actions have in delaying justice and the wider impact on society.
Andile Sinyoko (42), the alleged boyfriend of Disebo Portia Mosupa (30), has been arrested after her body was exhumed by forensic investigators from Thabong cemetery. She was found buried in a used grave on Friday (19/7).
Lawrence Ncanca (37), believed to be Sinyoko’s boyfriend, was arrested on the day Mosupa’s body was discovered. Mosupa was buried in Welkom this weekend.
Mangaung Metro District Sergeant Mantoetse Molapo and TRT Park Road Sergeant Sello Petros Tlokotsi shared shocking details about Sinyoko’s arrest in Bloemfontein. Despite being off duty, both officers acted on a tip-off about Sinyoko’s whereabouts, leading to his arrest on Sunday (21/7).
Molapo said Sinyoko was hiding with the mother of his child. “On our way home, we received an anonymous tip about the whereabouts of the suspect, where he was dropped off on Friday (19/7).
“We followed the information that led us to Bochabela in Bloemfontein. Upon arrival we found an elderly woman, between 52 and 55 years old, with three children.
“They claimed not to know the person we were looking for. We asked for the owner of the house and the elderly woman indicated that it was her daughter, who was visiting her older sister. The child, aged between 10 and 12, voluntarily took us to the place,” Molapo said.
The older woman apparently tried to mislead the officers, but the child led them to the correct location. Upon arrival, the woman they were looking for claimed to be taking a bath. Her younger sister offered to help, but the officers insisted on speaking to the woman directly.
“When she opened the bedroom door, we realised she was not alone. There was a man in the room and we immediately identified him as Andile from the photos circulating on social media. Sergeant Tlokotsi read him his rights and he was arrested and taken to Welkom,” Molapo said.
Tlokotsi added that their investigations suggest that the elderly woman knew where the perpetrator was as she was trying to hide her daughter’s location along with the suspect. Police continue to battle rampant gender-based violence (GBV) in the province despite limited resources.
Molapo expressed how emotional it is to deal with GBV cases, especially as a woman. She urged women to speak out about their challenges and report cases to the police.
Tlokotsi echoed this sentiment, calling on men to stop abusing women and protect both women and children. He also reiterated that giving false information to the police obstructs justice and allows perpetrators to continue to cause harm.
Andile Siyoko and Lawrence Ncanca appeared briefly in Welkom court, where they both gave up their bail. Photo: Video Screenshot
Meanwhile, the case against Ncanca and Siyoko has been remanded to August 22 for further investigation. They have both been remanded in custody.
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