BLOEMFONTEIN – While two killers of former Centlec chief executive officer (CEO) Andries Mgoqi languish in prison, the search continues for the mastermind who orchestrated the killing. Sgt Mahlomola Kareli, spokesperson for the provincial police, confirmed the investigation was continuing to trace the one believed to have paid the pair of Nkwebe Seatile (32) and Tlotlisang Monyane (34) to execute the murder on 16 February 2024. He said the investigation revealed the killers had been paid R90 000 in total.
The Free State High Court sentenced the South African men to life imprisonment each on 17 July. The hefty sentences followed the pair’s conviction on charges of murder, attempted murder, and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH). Kareli said the conviction and sentencing were the culmination of work involving the police investigating team and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa, which uncovered a chilling conspiracy.
Mgoqi’s killers hunted him after he survived a first attempt in January 2024 at the Kofifi Lifestyle Tavern in Bergman.
“The duo’s violent spree began on 28 January 2024 when they entered a local club in Bloemfontein and lured the victim outside,” said Kareli.
“A struggle ensued near the exit, during which one of the suspects pulled out a firearm and fired multiple shots, striking the victim in the face,” he said.
“Less than a month later the deceased was conversing with a friend outside a tavern in Bergman when an armed male walked up to him and shot him multiple times. The shooter then fled the scene in a white Mercedes-Benz,” stated Kareli.
He said the Mangaung Trio Task Team traced the killers to a “safe house” in Wepener in the early hours of 23 February, where both men were apprehended. Mgoqi rose through the ranks at Centlec until he served as CEO from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2020.
The police are yet to make a breakthrough in two other murder cases also believed to be hits. These involve Sarel May and David Khanda, who were shot execution-style on separate occasions. May, who was the Centlec health and safety manager, was shot in the back of the head while sitting in a rental car in Freedom Square on 28 September last year. Police reported that he was murdered at about 04:00 while sitting in a white Toyota Vitz and was in the company of three unknown men.
Khanda, who worked in the intervention section, was ambushed at his home in Pine Haven on 2 September.
Also read: Man found murdered in rental car revealed as Centlec employee
