Two businessmen gunned down at their Bloemfontein offices as police chief rushes to Bochabela scene

Two businessmen were allegedly gunned down at their offices in Ramatsoele Street, Bochabela, in Bloemfontein on Wednesday morning, and the Free State’s most senior police officer went to the scene himself.

The South African Police Service said Mangaung Metro members were attending the shooting. A complaint came in from radio control at about 08:51 on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, and members reached the scene at about 09:00.

According to the police account, a witness who was alone in the yard heard gunshots from upstairs. When he went outside he allegedly saw a man jumping into a white hatchback and fleeing.

ER24 emergency medical personnel were called and declared two males. The statement says the passenger sustained multiple gunshot wounds, while the status of the driver is not yet confirmed.

Lieutenant General Thabang Solomon Lesia, accompanied by Major General Makhele and Brigadier Thandi Mbambo, visited the crime scene. Crime Intelligence, Public Order Policing, Mangaung Detectives, the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit and Forensic Services have been activated and are on the scene.

Police say the investigation is underway and a detailed media statement will follow.

This account is drawn from the SAPS media statement issued by the Office of the Provincial Commissioner for the Free State. It is a summary of the police’s initial account rather than the full case record, and it does not name the two men or say whether anyone has been arrested. Enquiries can be directed to Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane on 082 461 7473.

The statement is available at https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=71992.