Man to serve life sentence for kidnapping, murder of girlfriend’s daughter

The Bloemfontein High Court found the accused Tshidiso France Moifi (32) guilty of kidnapping and murdering his girlfriend’s daughter on 13 August 2020.

On August 2020, the 11-year-old girl was sent to her grandmother’s place but never returned home. This led the grandmother, along with neighbours, searching for the little girl.

They found the girl’s lifeless body at an open field with both her feet and hands tied up with ropes.

According to Lejweleputswa police spokesperson, Captain Stephen Thakeng, the incident was reported to Bultfontein police. They then registered a murder case and assigned it to Thabong Serious and Violent Crimes.

“The team in charge of the investigation included Leutenant Colonel Mzivukile Gushana, Warrant Officer Kleinbooy September, Sergeant Keke Sithole and Constable Martin Machesa were involved,” added Thakeng.

This team worked tirelessly and conducted an intensive investigation. They managed to arrest the suspect on 23 August 2020.

The suspect turned out to be the deceased girl’s mother’s boyfriend, Tshidiso France Moifi.

Bloemfontein High Court sentenced the accused Molifi to life imprisonment for murder and five years for kidnapping. Both sentence will run concurrently.

The acting Free State provincial commissioner, Major General Solly Lesia, welcomed this heavy sentence and further applauded the investigators who ensured investigation.