BOPHELONG – What started as a heated argument at a local nightlife establishment in Bophelong, ended in gunfire in the early hours of October 27.
This comes after Katleho Kunene (28) and his friends were involved in a quarrel with a group of locals, who left the establishment and later returned with pump actions to avenge their rivals.
While Kunene was buying chips from a hawker outside the club, he was ambushed and shot in the leg. The gang dragged the wounded victim to his friend’s home where they screamed outside the house while breaking windows to draw him outside.
Mongezi Siko (65), Kunene’s friend’s dad, peeped through the window only to find himself brutally shot with bullets striking him in the face.
According to reports police nearby kept their distance, allegedly locking themselves inside the station while the suspects casually walked past.
Speaking to Ster, Siko’s family spokesperson, Joyce Makgalemele recounted the ordeal.
“Mongezi was woken up by his firstborn who heard voices outside the house and breaking windows. When investigating what was happening, he was met by a bullet that ripped his face and another tore his upper body,” she explained.
According to Makgalemele the family hid inside the house until the assailants left the scene. “When it was all quiet, they ran to the copshop, which remained closed. Ambulances arrived.”
Sister to deceased Kunene, Fihliwe, said she was fetched by locals, reporting how Katleho was injured.
“I quickly got dressed and rushed to the scene, only to be met by the armed men. They threatened to also shoot us, so we turned back until they left the scene. We witnessed them casually passing the police station after their merciless shooting,” she said.
Fihliwe said they [Kunene family] battle to come to terms with the passing of their beloved.
“Katleho was a breadwinner, he didn’t deserve to die like that. Our family relied on him for many things. We are deeply disturbed by how he died,” she said.
Vanderbijlpark police spokesperson Sergeant Sabelo Sigcu confirmed a double murder case is being investigated. “Four people were arrested following the ordeal and are set to appear in court. Investigations are still ongoing.”
