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North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo has welcomed the life sentences that the murderers of the late Warrant Officer Othusitse Ganenang of the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (the Hawks) were given by the North West High Court.

“The stiff sentences that Ronney Mashi (28) and Donald Khuma (25) were given should allow the Ganenang family to find closure now that justice has been served and also sent a strong message to criminals that the long arm of the law will hold them accountable for their involvement in crime,” Premier Mahumapelo said in applauding the investigating team and the prosecution for the conviction.

Mahumapelo said that to those who attack and kill police officers are attacking the authority of the state and should be removed from society. According to Hawks Spokesperson Captain Paul Ramaloko, Ganenang was shot and killed on 4 September 2011 at his home in Mocoseng village, outside Mahikeng. His girlfriend was also shot and admitted at a local hospital due to serious injuries she sustained during the incident.

“After this gruesome attack, Mashi and Khuma took two laptops, Gananeng’s service pistol, cash and cellular phones,” Captain Ramoloko said.

“The accused were arrested a day after the attack, on 5 and 9 September 2011 respectively. The Hawks investigating team managed to recover the member’s service pistol, two other firearms, stolen cellular phones and laptops during the arrests.” Ramaloko said.

Khuma was also sentenced to another 95 years imprisonment for 4 counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder and discharge of a firearm in a public place. 

Mashi was also sentenced to another 75 years imprisonment for 4 counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder and discharge of a firearm in a public place. All sentences for both accused will run concurrently.