Free State police have launched a search after two gunmen murdered two men at the Maseru Port of Entry.

Two men, aged between 31 and 40, were fatally shot in the early hours of Tuesday (11/6). Ladybrand police arrested one suspect.

The port of entry police were summoned to the scene on reports of a shooting at the long-distance taxi drop-off from a taxi traveling from Johannesburg.

‘The men were found in a pool of blood’

“Upon arrival at the scene, police found the men in a pool of blood next to a taxi they just departed from, “said Free State police spokesperson Motantsi Makhele.

“It is alleged that an unknown number of males got off from a white Isuzu bakkie and started shooting at the passengers getting off the taxi traveling from Johannesburg. After the shooting, the suspects got onto the bakkie and sped off.”

“A search was pursued and the white Isuzu bakkie was spotted on the R26 near Manyatseng and when they saw the police, two suspects fled and disappeared into the dark leaving the driver,” said Makhele.

‘Two cases of murder were opened at the Ladybrand police station’

The vehicle was searched and police found and confiscated a 9 mm firearm and two cases of murder were opened at the Ladybrand police station.

Meanwhile, Operation Vala Umgodi operations in Odendaalsrus yielded a hefty sentence for two zama-zama’s at the Odendaalsrus Regional Court on Monday (10/6).

Taelo Mmereko (39) and Koketso Futho (39) will each serve a 45-year sentence for three counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and illegal immigration.

‘Three men from Lesotho were shot’

Their sentence stems from their arrest on Monday, 20 April 2020 when a Bloemfontein response team received information about illegal miners who were extracting gold-bearing material at the Kudu old mine plant mine.

“Upon arrival at the old mine, the suspects started shooting at police, and a shootout began. Three men from Lesotho were shot and two sustained injuries and were admitted at Bongani Hospital in Welkom and Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein,” said Free State police spokesperson Stephen Thakeng.

“Five 9 mm firearms and live ammunition were recovered and seized. When they were arrested they were charged with two counts of attempted murder, possession of illegal firearms and ammunition, and illegal immigration.”

‘The team was applauded for their exceptional work’

The Bloemfontein Tactical Response Team and the provincial organized crime unit detective were applauded for their exceptional work.

OFM News mvh