By Mapaballo Borotho

- A Gauteng police officer has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of Sibongiseni Cele.
- Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher Mokoena was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
- In a separate case, a Johannesburg police officer and his brother were each sentenced to seven years for attempted murder.
The Gauteng High Court, sitting in Palm Ridge, on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, sentenced a police officer to 20 years’ direct imprisonment for murder.
Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher Mokoena of the Vereeniging police will spend 20 years behind bars for the murder of Sibongiseni Cele.
Mokoena reportedly assaulted Cele on 3 March 2024, accusing him of breaking into his property and stealing a television set and jewellery.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate(IPID) spokesperson Lizzy Suping said that after the assault, Mokoena called the police to his house but refused to open a case of trespassing against Cele.
At the same time, Cele also refused to open an assault case against Mokoena.
“According to the police, Cele declined to be taken to hospital for medical treatment. He was found dead the following day, on 4 March 2024, at his home by a friend. Police were summoned to the scene. Apart from the 20-year sentence, the High Court also declared Mokoena unfit to possess a firearm,” said Suping.
Two brothers sentenced for attempted murder
In another incident involving a police officer and his brother, both men have been sentenced to seven years each for the attempted murder of two people.
The incident happened in 2019 when Constable Kabelo Peace Maripane of the Johannesburg Rapid Rail Unit and his brother, Nape, threatened three friends who were taking a walk.
Constable Maripane was off duty at the time of the incident.
He allegedly fired shots towards the three friends and left.
Suping said Maripane, together with his brother, later returned to the area and opened fire at the group.
The court found the Maripane brothers guilty on 25 May 2026.
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