Thabang Sohole, 41, and Michael Makampe, 42, were granted R20,000 bail each in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Friday (6/2). The officers are facing charges of murder, defeating the ends of justice, and operating a vehicle with blue identification lamps on an unauthorised vehicle on a public road. 

The two officers are assigned to Douglas Maimane, the mayor of the Madibeng municipality in the North West. It is alleged that on Wednesday (28/1), the duo allegedly intercepted a vehicle with Michael Swanton, 36, and his wife Stephanie while they were travelling along Es’kia Mphahlele Drive in Pretoria towards the R80.

“The couple then turned onto the R80 towards Mabopane, where the two accused allegedly forced them to pull over on the side of the road,” said Gauteng NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahinjana.

“It is alleged that Sohole and Makampe exited the BMW, one of them armed with an R5 rifle, and approached the couple’s vehicle. The deceased was seated in the passenger seat, while his wife was the driver.”

The two allegedly questioned the couple about a missing rear number plate before returning to their vehicle. Swanton then followed them to check their identification and establish whether they were police officials with lawful authority to stop and question them.

Two men described as “VIP protectors” attached to the mayor of Madibeng Municipality appeared in court yesterday morning, 2 February, on charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice, and are due back in court tomorrow, 4 February, for a formal bail application. According… pic.twitter.com/HVsu6lnQDY

— Ian Cameron (@IanCameron23) February 3, 2026

As he approached the BMW, he was allegedly shot in the head and died at the scene, she said.

It is alleged that a few hours later, the officers handed themselves over at the Hercules Police Station, claiming that they were victims of an attempted hijacking and that a shooting had occurred on the R80.

In court, the state prosecutor, Chris Maruma, argued that the two could attempt to influence state witnesses and interfere with investigations; he opposed their release on bail.

However, magistrate Mphahlele found that “There were extraordinary circumstances that called for the accused’s release on bail,” said Mahinjana. “He further ordered them not to contact state witnesses directly or indirectly.”

A memorial service was held for Swanton at the Air Force Base Swartkop in Centurion on Wednesday (4/2).

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