This, as they have launched a manhunt for five suspects following the shooting of a police officer and three other people. 

According to the police provincial spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, the incident occurred on Friday night when a 48-year-old complainant allegedly hosted a few friends at his home in Thabong, when five unknown armed men stormed into the house and demanded money.

Mahkele adds the complainant resisted, which led to a shot being fired and other occupants threatened. He says the victim was then robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash. 

A case of house robbery, murder and three cases of attempted murder have been registered for further investigation.

The shooting of the police officer and three other people in Welkom comes just weeks after the shooting of a Bloemfontein police officer who was gunned down at his home in Bloemspruit. 

The 31-year-old police officer, Ofentse Odirile Katlego Mokgadinyane, was killed when three suspects aged between 22 and 29 reportedly forced open the back door of the house and opened fire on the constable. He was killed instantly. 

Mokgadinyane was stationed at the Park Road Police Station in Bloemfontein as part of the Crime Intelligence Unit.

The cases against his murder suspects -  Thembelone Ngalaka, Thabang Komane, and Thabiso Phelenyane has meanwhile been postponed by the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court to October 29.

OFM News