BLOEMFONTEIN – Full-scale investigations by the Bloemfontein police into the murder of three women entails piecing together the evidence to link an unlicensed firearm recovered from five undocumented foreign male suspects. The investigations revealed all three victims were killed execution-style in separate incidents weekend of 7 and 8 February in Bloemfontein.
Sgt. Mahlomola Kareli, provincial spokesperson for the police, said a 9mm pistol with six rounds of live ammunition was later found in a Toyota Quantum in which five suspects were travelling. The men were all arrested.
“The recovered firearm is to be sent for ballistic testing, and as soon as we receive the report it will be made public if it is the same one used for both incidents,” said Kareli, adding that the vehicle was also part of the investigation.
All three victims had bullet wounds to their bodies and the motive for the ruthless murders is part of ongoing police investigations. Three murder cases are under investigation.
The body of the first victim, in her 30s, was found on the side of Meadows Road in Springfield on Saturday 7 February. Lt Col. Thabo Covane, spokesperson for the police in Bloemfontein, said the victim was found lying on her back with three gunshot wounds: on her temple, behind the right ear, and on the chest. The victim was wearing blue jeans, a yellow striped short-sleeved T-shirt, and white Fila sneakers. Covane said a patrolling security officer reportedly discovered the body of the victim on the side of Meadows Road.
The bodies of the other two victims were found in the Namibia Square area in the early hours of Sunday; around 01:50. One of the victims was wearing light blue jeans and a green hoodie, while the other was wearing a blue denim top with black denim jeans.
Kareli said both victims, roughly in their 20s, had gunshot wounds to the back of their heads. He said the investigations entailed piecing together the evidence to link an unlicensed firearm to three separate incidents that occurred within 24 hours.
Kareli said members of the provincial Tracking and Tracing Team and the Parkweg Tactical Response Team (TRT) had reacted to intelligence-driven information. The investigations involve the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) experts.
The police are appealing for public assistance in tracing the perpetrators regarding the murders of aforementioned three murder victims. Anyone with helpful information is requested to contact the investigative officer, Lt Col. Rankhala David Ramasoala, on 082 527 7390 and Sgt. Morena Machalotsa of the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime (Murder and Robbery unit) on 073 729 1732. Alternatively, information can be submitted via the My SAPS app or by dialling the SAPS Crime Stop number, 08600 10111.
