This, after the suspects - Thembelone Ngalaka, Thabang Komane, and Thabiso Phelenyane – appeared briefly in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on 16 October and their case was postponed for a formal bail hearing. The trio allegedly gunned down the 31-year-old police officer at his home in Bloemspruit. They reportedly forced open the back door of the house and opened fire on the constable and he was killed instantly. Mokgadinyane was stationed as part of the Crime Intelligence Unit at the Park Road Police Station in Bloemfontein.

The Hawks spokesperson, Lynda Steyn, said an intelligence-driven operation comprising of members from various law enforcement units was established following the officer’s death and led them to where the suspects were hiding.

She said the trio was thereafter arrested in possession of a gun, laptop, and a wallet belonging to Mokgadinyane. The firearm seized was reportedly stolen in Hennenman.

All three suspects aged between 22 and 29 are charged with murder, theft, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

OFM News