OFM News reported that Mokoena was killed at his home in Fichardt Park on Monday at around 21:35 and so far police have arrested his 51-year-old wife who police say has been positively linked to the murder. Two other suspects, said to have killed the man, are still at large.

Bulwane called the killing a “senseless attack on farms”, stating that the murder of farmers continues to rob the provincial agricultural sector of skills and experience. OFM News’ Pulane Choane reports Bulwane went further to state that he calls on all stakeholders to join hands in the fight against murders related to farmers.

Even though Mokoena was killed at his home, Bulwane refers to the murder as a farm attack as he says that the death of any farmer by murder is a threat to the economy, as it may spur on job losses for farm workers and may also further threaten food security. Bulwane calls on all the people of the Free State to protect and support farmers by working with law enforcement agencies such as the police. He also urged farmers to increase their own safety and remain alert at all times, reporting every crime to the police.

Details of the incident remain sketchy and police at this stage are yet to ascertain a motive for the murder. Reports from the authorities at this stage indicate that Mokoena arrived at his house on Monday evening, where he found his wife in their main bedroom. As he went to the bathroom, he was confronted by two men, after which a scuffle ensued. The deceased was then dragged back to the bedroom where he was shot in the head in the presence of his wife. The suspects left the scene with the deceased’s vehicle, an undisclosed amount of money and cell phones. The vehicle was later found abandoned in Lourier Park. Mokoena’s neighbours described him as a friendly, though quiet man, who mostly kept to himself but always made an effort to greet when he passed his neighbours in his vehicle.

OFM News