Gauteng police officers jailed for murder and attempted murder

Two Gauteng police officers have been sentenced after separate convictions for violent offences, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) confirmed.

Lieutenant‑colonel jailed for 20 years for 2024 killing

The Gauteng High Court sitting in Palm Ridge on 16 September 2026 sentenced Lieutenant‑Colonel Christopher Mokoena of Vereeniging SAPS to 20 years for the murder of Sibongiseni Cele in 2024.

IPID said Mokoena allegedly assaulted Cele on 3 March 2024 at around 7pm, accusing him of breaking into his property and stealing a television set and jewellery. After the assault, Mokoena called the police to his house but refused to open a trespass complaint against Cele. Cele also declined to open an assault case against Mokoena.

According to IPID, Cele was found dead the following day, on 4 March 2024, at his home by a friend; police were summoned to the scene. In addition to the prison sentence, the High Court declared Mokoena unfit to possess a firearm.

Constable and brother jailed for attempted murder in Tembisa

In a separate matter, the Tembisa Regional Court sentenced Constable Kabelo Peace Maripane of the Johannesburg Rapid Rail Unit and his brother, Nape Maripane, to seven years each for the attempted murder of two civilians in Tembisa in 2019.

IPID said the incident began when Nape allegedly threatened three friends walking along Makulong Section in Tembisa on 14 September 2019 at approximately 2am with his service firearm and fired towards them before leaving the scene. The two brothers later returned and opened fire at the group, the directorate said.

Two of the friends sustained multiple gunshot wounds to their upper bodies, while the third escaped unharmed. The injured were transported to Tembisa Hospital for medical treatment. The court found the Maripane brothers guilty on 25 May 2026.

IPID reaction

IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping provided details of both cases to the media.

What the convictions mean

Both sentences follow investigations and prosecutions brought after the incidents described by IPID. The convictions and sentences were handed down by the Gauteng High Court in Palm Ridge and the Tembisa Regional Court respectively.