The Bethlehem Executive Structure Unit Detectives working with public unrest cases, has successfully secured a conviction in a vigilante murder case that occurred during an alleged community drug shutdown in Bohlokong on 23 January 2023.
The incident unfolded when the Bloemfontein Public Order Policing (POP) team was deployed to Bethlehem for crowd management duties, following reports of community members confronting alleged drug dealers in the Bohlokong area. One of the houses targeted was that of the alleged drug lord in the community.
While engaged in crowd management, POP members observed a group of individuals rushing towards a specific location. Upon investigating, officers discovered a group violently attacking a 37-year-old male with pangas and knives. Two female police officials bravely intervened, apprehending two male suspects who were actively stabbing the victim.
The arrested individuals were identified as 44-year-old Joseph Tshabalala, also known as “Toki,” and 25-year-old Ernest Semela also known as “bikkie”
Further investigation led officers to a house in Captain Charles, where other individuals involved in the attack had fled. Inside, police found 17 additional suspects, including 1 female, in possession of dangerous weapons and petrol bombs.
All 19 suspects, including Tshabalala and Semela were arrested for murder after the victim was declared dead at the scene.
After a two-year ongoing investigation and trial, the two primary suspects, Joseph “Toki” Tshabalala and Semela “Bikkie” Ernest, pleaded guilty to murder. They were each sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment for murder. The case against 17 other suspects was withdrawn.
