BLOEMFONTEIN. The Bloemfontein police have launched a manhunt for three suspects in connection with the murder of a 51-year-old man from Grassland in Bloemspruit. The motive for the murder is part of the ongoing investigation.
Lt Col Thabo Covane, spokesperson for the Free State police in Bloemfontein, is urging members of the public for information that can lead to the arrest of the three suspects to come forward. He said the victim was reportedly shot and killed in Freedom Square on Sunday, 28 September, in the early hours.
Covane said the victim’s body was found in a vehicle that the initial investigation revealed was registered as belonging to a rental car company in Kempton Park, Gauteng.
“According to witness statements, the deceased was shot at about 04:00 while sitting in a white Toyota Vitz. The deceased was in the company of three suspects when shots were fired. On arrival at the scene, members found the body of the victim slumped behind the steering wheel with gunshot wounds to the back of his head. At the crime scene, experts collected two spent cartridges. The victim was declared dead at the scene,” said Covane.
He said witnesses stated the suspects were wearing the following clothing: one wearing black clothing with a balaclava, another wearing a grey or white jacket, and the third wearing a brown jacket. Covane said, according to information received, the three suspects walked towards George Lubbe Street after committing the heinous crime. A murder case was opened for investigation at the Kopanong Police Station.
The police are appealing to any member of the public with information that can help with the investigation to report to their local police station. They can contact the investigative officer, Lt Col Sias Smit, at 063 692 1196. Alternatively, information can be submitted on the MySAPS App or by calling the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111.
