BOPHELONG. – A man, Neo Mokopanelo, was shot and killed in front of his partner on Saturday afternoon. Mokopanelo is alleged to have only been staying in the newly rented house in Bophelong Extension 17 for a mere three days.
According to eyewitnesses, the two had been relaxing in the sun when an armed man approached and shot the deceased in his head and stomach. The man subsequently pointed the gun at the woman who had been sitting with the deceased and ordered her to accompany him to his car that was parked in the street. The two were seen getting into a red Polo Vivo and the woman was ordered to drive away. “The man had arrived earlier this morning. He tried to force open the deceased’s burglar door but failed and left. He came back again and that was when we heard shots,” said an eyewitness at the scene.
Unconfirmed rumours are that the victim and the suspect had been involved in a love triangle and had earlier arranged to meet at the police station to sort things out. Upon arrival, police searched the body of the deceased and found his cellphone. A further search of the house turned up the identity document of the deceased. The woman returned home safely.
Police spokesperson Captain Johannes Motsiri said the suspect from Bophelong area handed himself over at the police station on Sunday without the firearm.
“The suspect has been charged with murder. He is expected to appear in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates Court soon,” said Motsiri, adding, “It is not yet known whether the firearm is licensed as this is part of the ongoing investigation”
