A collaborative effort by Ikageng Detectives, Crime Intelligence, the Provincial Drug Task Team and Fochville Visible Policing, led to the apprehension of five suspects for murder on Friday, 24 May 2024.
The suspects were arrested following the death of a 44-year-old Elissa Nikolene Maponyane who was allegedly shot several times on Thursday, 23 May 2024. The incident occurred at the victim’s place in Ikageng Location, Potchefstroom. The victim was declared dead by Emergency and Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) at the scene.
Information received regarding the incident led a team to Kokosi Township, near Fochville, where all five suspects, aged between 19 and 48, were arrested. During the arrest, the police confiscated a Volkswagen Jetta vehicle, two firearms and ammunition alleged to have been used during the commission of the crime.
Police investigations into the matter continue and linkages to other crimes cannot be ruled out.
The accused, Mpho Gift Visagie (19), Tebogo Lipholo (32), Phoka Raphoka (36), Mpho Thorn Bennet Lombard (32) and John Ramasubela Mohahabe (48) appeared before the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court today, 27 May 2024 and were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on Tuesday, 04 June 2024.
The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena applauded the police units involved for working around the clock to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book to face the full might of the law.
