Photo: Pixabay
UFS students killed in robbery: Two dead, two critically injured, say police
Four students were shot by balaclava-clad robbers in Botjhabela Village in the early hours of Wednesday. Two of the young men suffered fatal gunshot wounds.
Photo: Pixabay
Two young men believed to be students at the University of Free State were killed in an alleged armed robbery in the Botjhabela Village near Phuthaditjhaba in the early hours of Wednesday morning, according to the police. Unknown balaclava-clad suspects attacked the students at their place of residence and demanded their valuables.
POLICE HUNT FOR SUSPECTS
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said the young men were attacked at approximately 00:40 on Wednesday and the police were called to the scene at 1:00.
“Upon their arrival, they found a group of students believed to be studying at University of Free State at Qwaqwa Branch,” said Makhele.
“The police found two male bodies on the scene with fatal gunshot wounds. They were identified by their friends.”
Two other men were also injured in the shooting. At this point, they had already been rushed to Mofumahadi Manapo Regional hospital for treatment. The pair were in a critical condition, said Makhele.
According to the police, the students were allegedly at their rental place when three suspects wearing balaclavas stormed in and demanded cash, laptops and cellphones. The authorities are unsure of the exact number of items stolen.
The names of the deceased – who were identified to police by their friends – and injured will be released once their next kin has been notified of the incident.
Makhele said a docket of two murders and two attempted murders including house robbery is being investigated by the police.
“Any person with information that may lead to the successful arrests and convictions of the suspects can contact Phuthaditjhaba Detective Service, Colonel Morena Motloung at 082 479 3313 and Captain Boy Makubu on 082 332 3418 or Crime Stop 08600 10111 or submit information through My SAPS App,” said the police spokesperson
