Murder of ex-correctional official sparks outrage in Louis Trichardt
A violent hijacking in Louis Trichardt led to the murder of Clement Raphalalani and the kidnapping of his employee.
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Clement Raphalalani (61), ex-deputy director of Kutama Sinthumule prison, was fatally shot on Monday at his workshop in Louis Trichardt.
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An unknown suspect arrived asking for Raphalalani, then held an employee hostage until he returned.
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When Raphalalani arrived, two more suspects joined, and a heated argument ended in gunfire.
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After the murder, the suspects hijacked a truck and forced the employee into the boot of another car.
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The suspects crashed the vehicle near Levubu and fled on foot; police discovered the injured employee in the boot.
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A murder, kidnapping, and hijacking case has been opened, and a manhunt is ongoing.
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LIMPOPO – A tragic scene unfolded in Louis Trichardt last Monday afternoon when 61-year-old Clement Raphalalani, a former deputy director of the Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Facility and now a businessman, was shot and killed at his workshop in Celliers Street.
According to Vhembe police spokesperson WO Vuledzani Dathi, an unknown man arrived at the workshop and asked an employee about Raphalalani’s whereabouts.
Upon hearing that Raphalalani was not present, the suspect held the employee hostage, telling him he would only be released once his employer returned.
When Raphalalani later arrived, two additional suspects joined the first one. A heated argument broke out, during which Raphalalani was fatally shot.
The suspects then forced the employee to start a tipper truck parked at the workshop. One of the suspects drove off in the truck, while the other two forced the employee into the boot of one of Raphalalani’s vehicles and fled the scene in the direction of Thohoyandou, Dathi confirmed. The vehicle, however, overturned near Levubu, and the suspects fled on foot.
Police responding to the accident heard sounds coming from the car’s boot and discovered the injured employee inside, who then recounted the events that had taken place at the workshop.
When officers arrived at the scene in Louis Trichardt, they found Raphalalani already deceased.
Dathi confirmed that a case of murder, kidnapping and hijacking has been opened and that a manhunt for the suspects is underway.
“Anyone with information that may assist us in locating the suspects should contact the investigating officer, Det Sgt Shumani Kwinda at 071 355 0575. Alternatively, reports can be made at the nearest police station, via the Crime Stop line at 08600 10111, or through the MySAPS app,” said Dathi.
Family spokesperson Moses Raphalalani expressed the family’s devastation and outrage.
“We are in mourning and filled with unanswered questions. The way he was killed has left us deeply hurt. It will take time to heal. Government should bring back the death penalty. These killers deserve death – an eye for an eye,” he said.
