Hitmen Get Life Sentences for Killing Former Centlec Boss
What Happened?
In early 2024, two men—Nkwebe Seatile (32) and Tlotlisang Monyane (34)—were found guilty of a violent crime spree in Bloemfontein. Their most serious act was the fatal shooting of Andries Mgoqi, the former chief executive of Centlec, the city’s electric utility company.
The First Attack – January 28, 2024
The pair lured a 53‑year‑old man out of a local nightclub. After a fight broke out near the exit, one of them pulled out a gun and fired several shots, hitting the victim in the face. The man survived, and police opened an attempted‑murder case at Bainsvlei Police Station. Detectives Sergeant Lethola Taiwe took over the investigation.
The Deadly Shooting – February 2024
Less than a month later, the suspects allegedly shot Mgoqi outside a tavern in the Bergman area. He was chatting with a friend when a gunman approached, fired multiple rounds, and fled in a white Mercedes‑Benz. Mgoqi died at the scene.
How the Police Caught Them
Detective Captain Jacques Wilson of Bloemspruit Police Station led the murder investigation. Working with Sergeant Taiwe and lawyer Lucky Bontes from the National Prosecuting Authority, they traced the suspects to a safe house in Wepener. On the early morning of February 23, 2024, the Mangaung Trio Task Team arrested Seatile and Monyane.
Court Findings
The joint investigation showed that the two men were hired to carry out both the attempted murder in January and the murder of Mgoqi in February. During the trial, Judge Van Zyl stressed that contract killings are a serious threat to society and must be punished harshly to deter others.
Sentences
- Nkwebe Seatile: life imprisonment for Mgoqi’s murder plus an additional ten years for the attempted murder.
- Tlotlisang Monyane: life imprisonment for murder and two extra years for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Judge’s Message
Judge Van Zyl said the court’s role is to punish those who commit such heinous acts, serve as a warning to others, and restore public confidence in the justice system. He urged the community to let the wheels of justice turn freely.
Conclusion
The case of Seatile and Monyane shows how quickly violent crime can escalate and how determined law‑enforcement teams can be when they work together. The life sentences send a clear message: contract killings will not be tolerated, and those who carry them out will face severe consequences. For the residents of Bloemfontein, the verdict offers a sense of safety and reinforces trust in the legal process.
