By Montsho Matlala
Phalaborwa: Former Warrant Officer Olson Mnisi has been sentenced to 36 years in prison for murdering his colleague, Colonel Lesiba Gilbert Matsetela, during a 2018 manhunt.
The Limpopo High Court heard that on 16 September 2018, Mnisi was part of a Namakgale Police Station team sent to arrest an armed robbery suspect in Mashishimale village. After the suspect was arrested at a tavern, Mnisi—without provocation—opened fire on Matsetela and the suspect, ignoring the colonel’s pleas to stop. Matsetela later died in hospital.
Mnisi, 63, received 20 years for murder and 16 years for two counts of attempted murder. He was also declared unfit to possess firearms under the Firearms Control Act.
State Advocate Patrick Magoda said the crime was aggravated by the betrayal of a fellow officer.
SA Police Union (SAPU) provincial secretary Lesiba Phukubje said:
“We condemn any form of criminality irrespective of who is on the wrong side of the law, and we advocate zero tolerance on police killings.”
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) added:
“We commend the sterling work by the investigating officer and the NPA. POPCRU takes a firm stance against all forms of criminality, regardless of the perpetrator’s uniform.”
