FREE STATE – A man has been killed and a woman is fighting for her life in hospital following a violent incident and an apparent mob attack in Section W, Botshabelo, east of Bloemfontein, on Saturday morning.
Police say the Mangaung Metro DOCC East Task Team has launched an investigation into both the shooting and the subsequent killing of the suspect, in a case that has reignited debate over so-called mob justice in the community. Authorities were alerted around 06:30 on Saturday, 11 April, after gunshots were reported in the area.
According to preliminary findings, an unidentified man, believed to be between 40 and 45 years old and thought to be a foreign national, approached a 43-year-old woman. It is alleged he shot her twice in the lower body before dragging her towards an open veld near a sewage facility, where he reportedly attempted to sexually assault her.
The woman’s cries for help are said to have alerted nearby residents, who rushed to the scene. What followed was a chaotic pursuit, during which the suspect was cornered and found unresponsive with a stab wound to the shoulder and a severe head injury. He was declared dead at the scene. Paramedics transported the injured woman to hospital, where she remains in a critical condition. Her family has expressed hope for her recovery.
Police recovered a black and silver firearm and ammunition at the scene, along with a brown shoe believed to belong to the deceased man. His identity has not yet been confirmed.
A separate murder investigation has now been opened into the suspect’s death, with authorities warning that those involved in vigilante violence will be held accountable.
Free State Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia condemned the killing, saying: “Violence is not a solution to crime. When individuals bypass the legal system to assault or kill suspected perpetrators, they cease to be victims or concerned citizens and instead become criminals themselves.” The incident has divided opinion in the local community.
Some residents defended their actions, citing fears over slow police response times and ongoing safety concerns, while others warned that taking the law into one’s own hands only fuels further violence. Police have urged anyone with information about the incident or the identity of the deceased man to come forward.
Tips can be submitted to Botshabelo Police or anonymously via Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or through the MySAPS App.
