Former police sergeant Thabang Makateng has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being found guilty of murder, attempted murder and kidnapping.  

He was sentenced to eight years for the murders of Lieutenant Colonel Marabe Penane and Major Karabo Chabeli, six years for attempted murder of Major Michael Raleaka, Captain Patrick Mokeki and Captain Lithempa Mokolatsie as  well as two years for the kidnapping of Warrant Officer Keletso Ramoeletsi.

The court ordered that all sentences should run concurrently.

Justice Thamsanqa Nomngcongo said Makateng was convicted and sentenced not because he was the actual perpetrator, but that he had common purpose with the perpetrators to commit the said offences.  

He said when passing sentence he considered the fact that at the time, October 31, 1995, there were problems within the police, which the management could not solve.

The crown is represented by Advocate Roland Suhr while Makateng's lawyer is Advocate Thulo Hoeane.

18 February 2006