Molefe Rapooie (27) was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment, on 14 August 2023 by the Johannesburg High Court for the murder of Sergeant Lasi Max Siweya (46) who was killed at Muzikinya hostel, Reigerpark in Boksburg on the 26 March 2022 where he was following up on a lead about a murder case. At the time of his untimely demise, Sergeant Siweya is reported to have been following up on information about a suspect who was wanted for murder at Muzikinya hostel. While patrolling around the hostel, he noticed a group of men, amongst them a man who fit the description of the suspect in question.
When the officer approached the group, they started shooting at his vehicle, fatally wounding the officer who was travelling with his cousin at the time. On 31 March 2022, members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime in Germiston received information about an alleged suspect who had killed a police officer in Reigerpark who was on the run. The members operationalised and followed up on the lead and the suspect was apprehended in the Free State.
On Monday, 14 August 2023, the court found Molefe Rapooie guilty of the murder of Sergeant Siweya and sentenced him to life imprisonment. Rappoie was also sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for the attempted murder of Oupa Mabasa, 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances and further sentenced to 6 months imprisonment for contravention of the Immigration Act. The sentences will run concurrently.
Provincial Head Major General Ebrahim Kadwa commended the investigating officer and the prosecution team for a very meticulous investigation which culminated in a life sentence and further appeals to the public to report information on police murders which is unacceptable in a law abiding nation.