Sgt. Thabiso Andries Mareletse (45) and a colleague were pursuing suspected stock thieves in a police bakkie when the accident happened on the R34 Heilbron-Edenville road, some 15km from Heilbron, at 02:35 on Thursday (9/1).

They suspected a white Nissan Sentra of being involved in a possible stock theft, said Free State police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele. During the high-speed pursuit, the police vehicle overturned when the driver lost control.

Mareletse died on the scene while his colleague, Cst. Bongani Jefrey Xanko (31), was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Sgt. Mareletse during this difficult time,” said Provincial Police Commissioner Lt. Gen. Baile Motswenyane. “It is indeed a sad beginning (to) the year, losing three members in the line of duty already in such a short time. We also wish Cst. Xanko a speedy recovery.”

The officers were part of the Heilbron visible policing unit and were on official duty in full uniform at the time of the accident, just days after the loss of two other police officers in a shooting incident.

Cst. Sipho Mohapi (45) and Gedione Motloung (39) were shot and killed on Saturday while responding to a house robbery complaint in Namahadi at Qwaqwa. Makhele described the fallen officers as “dedicated public servants” who upheld the values of police service with “unwavering commitment”.

Both officers had more than 12 years of experience in policing and had consistently demonstrated their selflessness in protecting the community, said Makhele.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg