News of his death was confirmed by both Randfontein police spokesperson Sergeant Carmen Hendricks and the legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Safety and Security.

“A Randfontein Visible Policing member received a complaint of a shooting in Nokwe Street and upon his arrival on the scene, he found a man lying face down next to a vehicle.

“The victim had a gunshot wound on his upper body. The emergency medical services were called and the victim was declared dead by the paramedic. A murder case has been opened and the case is under investigation,” said Hendricks.

Randfontein Herald spoke to family spokesperson Mzi Khumalo who said Mangope is believed to have been shot twice, with the second bullet causing the fatal injuries.

“The deceased was travelling alone at the time of the incident and had parked his car on Nokwe Street. It appears that he was shot first while inside his car. He then tried getting out of his car and that’s when, it looks like, he was shot for the second time,” said Khumalo.

He added that shortly after this, community members alerted his family, who then rushed to the scene and watched his motionless body on the streets while waiting for government services to arrive.

“He was really close to his children so one can only imagine what the family is going through. We have truly lost a legend and news of his passing is difficult for them and all of us as the ANC as well as the legislature,” said Khumalo.

Mangope (50) leaves behind two daughters and his wife and will be buried on Saturday at the Heroes Square Cemetery in Greenhills.