Police have deployed the provincial murder and robbery unit to investigate the killing of prominent Mahikeng crime activist and traditional healer Thato Molosankwe, who was gunned down early on Wednesday. 

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said Molosankwe was attacked at his home in Lomanyaneng village.

“He sustained multiple gunshot wounds,” she said in a statement. 

“The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has directed the North West Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Ryno Naidoo, to ensure maximum resources are deployed to hunt down the killers of vocal Mahikeng-born crime activist and traditional healer, Mr Thato Molosankwe,” Mathe said. 

She said Dimpane “strongly condemned the brutal murder and assured the community that no stone will be left unturned until those responsible are found and brought to book”.

According to local police, Molosankwe was a “community-minded individual” who played an important role in assisting police efforts aimed at fighting crime and corruption as well as strengthening relations between the SAPS and communities.

Molosankwe drew public attention in 2017 when he undertook a 1,317km walk from Cape Town to Mahikeng to raise awareness against women and child abuse. 

The walk, dubbed the #FatherSonMentorshipWalk, was also aimed at encouraging fathers to teach boys “good morals” and confront social problems including crime, racism, drug and alcohol abuse, HIV/Aids and abuse targeting LGBT people. 

Police are appealing to anyone with information that may assist investigations to contact the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or provide anonymous tip-offs via the MySAPS App.

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An officer was shot and injured during a cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery near Hillside View in Bloemfontein.

The incident occurred along OR Tambo Road when a CIT vehicle was rammed by another car, forcing it off the road and into a nearby field.

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According to driver Isaac Miya in reports, more than ten heavily armed suspects, dressed in blue overalls and balaclavas, surrounded the vehicle and forced two staff members out.

As the robbery escalated, a traffic patrol vehicle attempted to intervene. The suspects opened fire, striking an officer in the leg.

Free State MEC for Community Safety, Jabu Mbalula, confirmed that the officer is recovering in hospital and remains in stable condition.

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“This attack is deeply disturbing. Criminals exploited the quiet Easter period, knowing roads would be less busy. One of our officers was caught in the crossfire, but she is stable and receiving excellent care at Busamed Hospital,” Mbalula said.

Police are investigating the robbery.

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