The provincial police spokesperson, Sabata Mokgwabone, says the body of the 26-year-old police constable, Thato Makhoana, was found next to the road, with multiple gunshot wounds to his body. His death comes mere weeks after three other officers in the province were killed in two separate incidents.

According to information, Makhoana went missing on Wednesday while allegedly en route to visit his sister in Zeerust. The officer's vehicle was found torched in Majemantsho village near Lomanyaneng, far from where his body was found outside Mahikeng. No one has been arrested and the police have since launched their 72-hour Activation Plan.

"The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, condemns in the strongest possible terms the callous killing of an off-duty Constable Makhoana and equally important, conveys his heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives and colleagues.

“According to information at our disposal, Makhoana who was stationed in Mmabatho, indicated in the morning on Wednesday, 29 July 2020, that he was on his way to visit his sister in Zeerust," Mokgwabone adds.

A missing person enquiry was registered at Mahikeng police station after the deceased failed to arrive in his sister's Zeerust home or answer his cell phone.

"Investigation into the matter by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) is underway. 

"We are appealing to anyone who may have any information that can lead to the arrest or assist in the investigation, to contact the investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Modise Thaga, at 082 374 2417 or call the Crime Stop number: 086 00 10111. Anonymous tip-offs may also be shared via the MySAPS App," Mokgwabone adds.

OFM News previously reported that two police officers were killed following a fatal crash in the province. This after their vehicle collided head-on with a truck along the R540 between Leeudoringstad and Wolmarasstad.

The officers, Sergeant Thys Gareitse and Sergeant Daniel Sethibe, who were both stationed in Potchefstroom Public Order Police (POP) cluster, died in the morning of that fateful day. Their deaths came a few days after another officer, the 41-year-old Sergeant Martha Mamoitoyi Bouwer, was laid to rest in Kanana after she was brutally killed at her place of residence.

OFM News