Six years after Groblersdal station commander was shot dead, three accused stay behind bars
The Hawks arrested the three in Sekhukhune District on 9 October 2026 and the State opposed bail, with the case postponed to 18 January 2027 while a fourth suspect is still sought.
Three people accused of murdering a former Groblersdal police station commander will stay in custody after the State successfully opposed their bail, the Hawks in Limpopo said.
Dimakatso Seroka (51), Johannes Makgoga (56) and Virginia Mokgoga (41) were arrested by the Hawks on 9 October 2026 in the Sekhukhune District in connection with the death of Colonel Lebyane Jeffrey Seroka. They have remained in custody since, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation said in a statement.
The case has been postponed to 18 January 2027 for further investigation. The accused face charges including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, vehicle hijacking, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Colonel Seroka was fatally shot on 17 October 2020 outside his residence in Maganagobuswa Village, in the Dennilton policing area. He was preparing to attend a funeral when he was attacked. His vehicle was apparently taken and later recovered abandoned.
The Hawks units involved in the case are the Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, working with National Priority Violent Crimes, the Priority Crime Management Centre and Priority Crime Specialised Investigation.
Major General (Adv.) Gopz Govender, Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo, commended the investigation team for its persistence. “A police officer who loses their life in the service of the country must never become a forgotten statistic,” he said. “Six years may have passed, but our responsibility to pursue justice remains unchanged. We cannot reverse what happened to Colonel Seroka, but we can ensure that his murder is not allowed to disappear into the passage of time.”
The investigation team is still pursuing outstanding leads and tracing an additional suspect believed to be linked to the murder, the Hawks said.
The statement was issued by the South African Police Service (SAPS). The full notice is at https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=72241. Enquiries: Colonel Avele Fumba, 082 569 8513.
