Four students were shot at and two were killed in Phuthaditjhaba, on the Qwaqwa campus, after they were accosted by unknown men, disguised in masks, early on Wednesday morning 22 September. 

Police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, tells OFM News that the students were allegedly accosted by gun-wielding men who shot at students and demanded cash, laptops and cellphones. Following the said attack at the Botjhabela Village near Phuthaditjhaba, two students were later found with fatal gunshot wounds whilst two other injured students were rushed to the Mofumahadi Manapo Regional hospital, where they are in critical condition.

Meanwhile, Makhele says the police in that area have now launched a manhunt for the suspects allegedly involved in the deadly shooting of these students. Two cases of murder and two cases of attempted murder are currently being investigated.

Another student at the UFS' Bloemfontein campus, the 23-year-old Litemba Mpambani, who was a fourth-year Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) student, was killed during a hit-and-run on April 2021 after suffering a blunt force head injury. No one has been arrested for the incident yet.  

Makhele says it is alleged that police were summoned to a shooting incident at about 01:00 at the Botjhabela Village and upon their arrival, they found a group of students believed to be studying with the University of the Free State, at the Qwaqwa campus.

"The police found two male bodies lying on the ground, with fatal gunshot wounds.  The other two African males were already rushed to the Mofumahadi Manapo Regional hospital, in critical condition," he adds.

He further adds that the deceased were identified by their friends.

The exact number of stolen items have not been determined yet and the names of the deceased and injured have also not yet been released.

Makhele alludes that "we cannot release the names before the next-of-kin have been informed and positively identified. Any person with information that may lead to the arrests and convictions of the suspects can contact Phuthaditjhaba Detective Service, Colonel Morena Motloung, at 082 479 3313 and Captain Boy Makubu on 082 332 3418 or Crime Stop 08600 10111, or the MySapsApp".

OFM News