By Agreement Mabunda
GA-SEKORORO- A 35-year-old suspect (security guard) Thabo Molobela who was arrested after allegedly shooting six family members at Makgophong village in Magatle, on 19 August 2023, escaped from medical care in Sekororo Hospital on 20 September has been arrested in last night in Sedawa Village.
It is alleged that a man was in hiding in Sedawa Village in one of the abandoned house and the police recieved a tip off from the member of the community.
According to reports, the suspect and his wife had marital problems which remained unsolved when he allegedly then resorted to shooting her, their child as well as her sister and cousin.The horrific incident took place while these family members were in a motor vehicle about to leave to Makgophong village, on 19 August 2023 at around 19:00. Unfortunately, the wife’s cousin and sister succumbed to the injuries while she and a one-year-old child remained in a critical condition.
The two deceased were then identified as Reneilwe Phogole aged 39 (cousin) and Adelaide Mapulane aged 29 (sister).
It is alleged that on that fateful day the couple residing at the same village (Makgophong) met trying to resolve their issues but later on, the suspect attacked the family.
In the early hours of 14 September 2023, members of the Provincial Tracking Team, Provincial Murder and Robbery, Magatle Detectives jointly with Private Securities and Farm Watch conducted an Intelligence led operation following leads.
The suspect was traced at Santeng village in Hoedspruit outside Sekororo when Police arrived, he allegedly shot himself trying to commit suicide but Police managed to disarm him. He was quickly transported to the local hospital for medical attention. It is not yet clear how he managed to escape and police are busy searching for him.
He Is appearing today at Lenyenye magistrate court, on a charge of escaping & he will be transferred to Mokopane where he will be facing a 2 count of murder and 4 count of attempted murder.
