The death of Mokoena Letsie (40), a political activist of Ikageng and Potchefstroom, has caused shock and outrage amongst the local community.

Mokoena, who was a member of the Solidarity Action Committee Collective (Potch for Palestine) movement was shot dead on Wednesday, May 27 at his home in Ikageng at the Hashtag informal settlement in Sonderwater. Another male was also injured and is in a serious condition after suffering a gunshot wound to his head.

Ikageng police have confirmed that they are investigating cases of murder and attempted murder related to this incident.

According to NW police spokesperson, Sergeant Kelebogile Morake, police found spent cartridges and live ammunition lying on the ground upon arrival at the scene.

“A bystander informed police that two injured victims had already been rushed to a local hospital. Police immediately proceeded to the hospital where medical personnel confirmed that the victims had been transported there in a private vehicle,” stated Morake.

“The one victim, 40-year-old Daniel Letsie Makhabe (known as Mokoena), sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. The second male victim sustained a gunshot wound to the head and remains admitted to hospital in a serious condition,” added Morake.

The North West Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, condemned the incident and urged communities to work closely with the police by providing any information that could assist with the investigation.

Solidarity Action Committee Collective: “This was a targeted attack.”

The Solidarity Action Committee Collective has condemned the shooting, stating that this was a targeted attack on Mokoena’s life.

“This was a killing. Targeted. Brutal. Political. Not because he was a criminal. Not because he was violent. Because he organised the poor. Because he stood with informal settlement communities. Because he believed working class people deserve dignity, land, housing, electricity, freedom, and jobs,” the Solidarity Action Committee Collective stated.

Read the full statement here:

According to the Solidarity Action Committee Collective this was not the first time that Mokoena was targeted in a shooting.

“Three years ago, twenty bullets tore through his corrugated iron shack. Between that night and this one, a steady stream of threats – including from prominent political figures – were levelled against him. They thought he would stop. They thought he would shrink.”

The Solidarity Action Committee Collective has further stated that justice must take place and that answers must be given.

“We point fingers at no one and no institution until the evidence leads us there. But we also rule nothing out. Who had something to lose from Comrade Mokoena’s voice? Let the investigation answer. Let the truth emerge. And when it does – wherever it leads – we will demand justice. Full justice. Public justice.”

The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) also sent condolences to Letsie’s loved ones and family and reiterated that justice must take place.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is requested to contact Detective Warrant Officer Tommy Sekhu of the Ikageng Detectives on 082 661 6528.