March 14

POLOKWANE – The police in Polokwane say they have intensified their search for the three suspects involved in the shooting of a businessman in the CBD on March 8 after the victim succumbed to his injuries.

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that the man had been critically injured and died in hospital on Wednesday.

“Police had initially opened a case of attempted robbery and attempted murder but that has now been converted to murder,” he said.

The deceased was identified as Petrus Monyapho of Lenyenye in the Mopani District.

The provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has called on the community to come forward with any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects responsible.

Anyone with information should contact the investigating officer Warrant Officer Thamaga Joseph Malebana on 072 492 9635; the crime stop number on 08600 10111; at their nearest police station or via the MySAPSApp.

March 12

POLOKWANE – The Polokwane police confirmed that a manhunt is currently underway for the three suspects involved in the shooting of a businessman in the CBD on Friday (March 8) after two cases of attempted murder and attempted armed robbery were opened.

The 50-year-old man, who is currently recovering in hospital, was shot twice by three men while withdrawing cash from an ATM at a shopping centre in Bok Street close to the taxi rank.

Read more: Brazen Polokwane CBD shooting leaves businessman injured

Polokwane police spokesperson Captain Lesiba Ramoshaba said the suspects fled the scene in a white Toyota Corolla with unknown registration numbers and called on anyone with information to come forward.

Their investigations, he said, do not suggest that the shooting may have been a hit.

Witnesses who included taxi operators working adjacent to the shopping centre said emergency medical services did not delay their arrival and rushed the victim to the hospital for priority 1 healthcare.