Police in South Africa have launched a manhunt for suspects following the fatal shooting of twin brothers and businessmen, Kegomodicoe Lekone and Keabecoe Lekone, owners of Ekhayeni Lounge Bar.
The incident occurred on Wednesday morning in Bochabela, Mangaung, in the Free State province.
THE SHOOTING
According to the South African Police Service, the 52-year-old brothers were gunned down at the gate of a premises on Ramatsoele Street while sitting inside their charcoal-coloured Ford Ranger.
Mangaung police received a report of a shooting in progress from radio control at about 8:51 a.m.
Officers arrived at the scene at approximately 9 a.m., where they found the two victims inside the vehicle. “Both the driver and the passenger suffered gunshot wounds,” police said.
ER24 paramedics declared both men dead at the scene .
THE WITNESS ACCOUNT
A witness who was upstairs inside the double-storey building told police that he heard gunshots before rushing outside to investigate.
He allegedly saw a man running towards a white Chevrolet Aveo hatchback, which then sped away. “He didn’t see if the male person had an object in his hands,” the police statement said.
Police believe there may have been two other occupants already inside the vehicle when the man approached it .
THE INVESTIGATION
The Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes, Murder and Robbery Unit has launched an investigation into the double murder.Police have appealed to anyone with information that could assist in identifying and locating the suspects to come forward.
Members of the public can contact Colonel Msokoli Bolsick on 082 466 8530, report information at their nearest police station, submit a tip through the MySAPS app or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 .
WHO WERE THE LEKONE TWINS?
The brothers were known as the owners of Ekhayeni Lounge Bar.
They were also infamously involved in a Mangaung Municipality fraud and money laundering case. They were convicted alongside eight other accused on October 22, 2012, and sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment each.
WHY IT MATTERS
The murder of the Lekone twins is a tragic reminder of the violence that continues to plague South Africa. Two businessmen, known in their community as the owners of a popular lounge, were gunned down in their vehicle in broad daylight.
The suspects fled in a getaway car, and the police are now searching for them. For the family of the deceased, the loss is immeasurable. For the community, it is a chilling reminder that no one is immune to the country’s violent crime epidemic.
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ValidViewNetwork reports that the investigation is ongoing. Police have appealed for information.