BLOEMFONTEIN – Bloemfontein-based controversial twins (52) who owned the popular Ekhayeni Pub & Grill in Bochabela were reportedly shot dead, execution-style, with police confirmed their identities. Social media platforms are flooded with the news of the shooting of the pair, Kegomodicoe Lekone and Keabecoe Lekone, this morning – Wednesday.

They were ambushed at one of the business premises situated on the corner of Mkhuhlane Road and Morakile Street in Bochabela. One of the bystanders, believed to be among the first at the scene, has shared a video showing them dead in a high-end black bakkie.

The circumstances surrounding their fatal shooting and the motive remain unclear. No arrests have been made and police have launched a manhunt for the suspects.

Lt. Col Thabo Covane, provincial spokesperson for the police, said the passenger who was with the deceased in the vehicle sustained multiple gunshot wounds, while the status of the driver is not yet confirmed.

“It is alleged that at about 08:51, a complaint was received from radio control. At about 09:00, members attended the scene at Morakile Street, where a witness, who was alone in the yard, allegedly heard gunshots from upstairs. Upon going outside, he allegedly saw a male jumping into a white hatchback motor vehicle and fleeing the scene,” said Covane.

He said private emergency medical services personnel who attended to the shooting incident declared the two men dead at the scene.

The Lekone twins, who had ties in tender-preneurs, were among the people convicted and sentenced for defrauding the Mangaung Municipality of R130 million in 2012. They were sentenced to eight years imprisonment each. The fraud happened before the municipality was upgraded to metro status.

The twins were previously acquitted in the high-profile 2008 murder of Lehlohonolo Seqhee, who was the bodyguard of the then Free State MEC for Police, Roads and Transport, Seiso Mohai.

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