A 26 -year-old Free State man was sentenced to 12 years for raping and murdering a woman in an open field in Kutlwanong, Odendaalsrus, last year.

Abel Pana Qhisa of Mshenguville had a night out with Mosele Mashiya at a local tavern in Kutlwanong.

Just as they were about to leave the two had an argument.

According to Free State police spokesman Captain Stephen Thakeng, Qhisa got so angry he suddenly took out a knife and stabbed Mashiya repeatedly.

Thakeng said as Mashiya lay on the ground bleeding, Qhisa repeatedly raped her before leaving her for dead.

Seun Setungoane, 20, who allegedly witnessed the brutal stabbing and rape, also joined in and raped the dying Mashiya.

Luckily, Thakeng said, passers-by witnessed what was happening and called the police.

Thakeng said police arrested Setungoane on the crime scene while Mashiya died shortly afterwards.

Qhisa was arrested in Kutlwanong after further police investigations, Thakeng said.

Setungoane apparently died in prison while the police were still investigating. Thakeng said the police could not connect the two men to the murder.

When handing down sentence Judge Johan Bosch said Qhisa was ruthless and did not show any remorse.

Bosch said it seemed Mashiya's murder was premeditated.