Brits - No arrests have been made in connection with the death of an ANC activist and South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) branch secretary in Maboloka near Brits, North West police said on Wednesday.
Thabo Moroa, 35, was gunned down at his home at Doornkop Section in Maboloka outside Brits on Saturday.
His cousin and family spokesperson Aaron Moroa said the activist was shot three times, once in each thigh and once in the heart.
“Three men wearing balaclavas jumped over the wall, broke a window and gained entry into the house. They went into Thabo’s bedroom, attacked him while he was asleep. They fought up to the kitchen where they shot him in the heart. He died at the scene,” said Moroa.
He said another man, who was Thabo’s helper, was shot twice in the back.
“He jumped out of the window to seek help, but one of the gunmen shot him in the back twice. He is in critical condition in hospital.” he said.
It is alleged four gunmen had parked their getaway car about 200 metres from Moroa’s home. It is believed three of them had scaled the perimeter wall, broken a window, and gained entry into the house.
Moroa and his helper were sleeping in separate bedrooms. The helper heard gunshots and jumped out of the bathroom window to alert neighbours. On his way back to the house he saw the fourth man and attempted to run away, but the man shot him twice in the back.
He was rushed to hospital and admitted into the intensive care unit, in a critical condition.
The motive for Moroa’s death was not yet clear. The family said they did not suspect his death was linked to his political activities.
“Thabo was involved in politics and vocal but we cannot say his death was linked to his political life. The gunmen were heard demanding tenders from him. We do not know for sure whether it was a hit or criminal activity,” said Aaron Moroa.
A laptop and cell phones were stolen from Moroa’s house, the second break-in at his house. In April this year there was a burglary and computers were stolen.
Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said the police were investigating a case of murder, house breaking with intent to commit murder, and attempted murder.
Sanco in North West appealed for calm and urged residents to come forward with information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.
“We must resist the temptation to point fingers and channel our energy to assist police with information that will lead to the arrest of those responsible for the senseless violence,” said provincial chairperson Paul Sebegoe.
He said that uninformed speculation as to who might be responsible for Moroa’s death would only serve to advance the agenda of those who sought to sow divisions within the revolutionary alliance and the ranks of the progressive movement ahead of the local government elections.
Moroa was employed by the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality as a secretary to the member of the mayoral committee responsible for rural development.
He is survived by his wife and two daughters, aged eight and two. They were not at home when he was gunned down. He would be laid to rest in Maboloka on Saturday.
African News Agency