A burnt vehicle in an open field next to the St. Helena Hospital in Welkom on 7 January led police to the body of Mojakisane Lesoetsa (30), a Beatrix Mine engineer. He had suffered multiple injuries to his head and shoulder.
Lesoetsa’s sister-in-law, who also acted as his nanny, was asleep with his 12-year-old twin daughters at their house in Mercutio Street, Welkom, when she heard movements inside the house.
She went to the twins’ bedroom to hide with them, hearing a struggle inside her brother-in-law’s room, with him repeatedly asking “What do you want from me?” of an unknown party.
An unknown African male wearing a balaclava then entered the twins’ bedroom with a firearm asking the nanny and the twins in isiZulu to go from the children’s bedroom to the nanny’s, locking them in.
Several movements were then heard. The nanny could hear a voice threaten Lesoetsa that if he screams for help they will shoot him. The suspects then drove off with him and his navy blue Volkswagen Polo TSI with Free State number plates.
With only herself and the twins left in the house, the nanny forced open the locked bedroom door and found blood on the lounge floor as well as in the garage and the curtains in Lesoetsa’s bedroom.
Upon the police’s investigation of the scene, several items were declared missing. These include: a white iPhone 7 or 8 model valued at R5 000, a blue or green Redmi phone valued at R2 000, a black HTC device valued at R2 000, and a black Samsung 32-inch flat screen TV valued at R4 000. A black 60-inch Hisense TV valued at R18 000 was also thought to be stolen, but was found inside the garage.
The Welkom police are investigating a case of house robbery and kidnaping.
The suspects are still on the loose. Anyone with information that may lead to the suspects’ arrests, are requested to contact Det. Sgt Pitso Matsie of Welkom Serious and Violent Crimes on 071-062-7692 or the Crime Stop number on 08600-10111. Alternatively, they can share information on the MySAPS App, anonymously.
