Police spokesperson, Stephen Thakeng, says according to information, Louis Coetzee went to help his stepdaughter, Marlene Matthysen, and her fiancée, Kim van Heerden, close the business because he was concerned about their safety.

Circle City Info reports that according to a relative, Van Heerden threw a basket at the attackers, ran away with the keys and crawled under Coetzee's bakkie while pressing the panic button. The report further says Matthysen was shot in the head and remains in a critical condition at Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein.

Thakeng says the perpetrators, who are suspected illegal miners, are still at large.

Meanwhile, Welkom police are further tracing two suspects, who allegedly murdered a 26-year-old man in Odendaalsrus last week.

Thakeng says the two men allegedly shot and killed Bushiki Dasheka, who at the time of the incident was walking home with his partner - unprovoked.

He says the two allegedly insulted the couple and within seconds a shot was fired in their direction. The deceased tried to cover his girlfriend but fell to the ground.

Dasheka was taken to Thusanong hospital but was declared dead on his arrival after sustaining a shot wound in his back and one 9mm cartridge was found at the scene. Apparently, the girlfriend ran away to nearby houses to seek help,” says Thakeng.

Thakeng says police are investigating a case of murder.

“Anyone with information leading to the arrests of these murder suspects, can contact Detective Captain David Mkwane of Odendaalsrus Detective Services at 082-301-2797,” he concluded.

OFM News