THE Mehlape family is devastated by the untimely death of their father, brother and son, Dr Johannes Mehlape.
Dr Mehlape (56), who was the Lebopo Circuit Manager, was gunned down at his home in Mankweng zone 1 outside Polokwane, Limpopo, on Thursday, 28 December, during an alleged robbery.
This comes after two unknown suspects ambushed Mehlape’s relative, who was returning from a soccer tournament at 9pm.
They ordered the relative to get inside the house, where they found another relative and demanded to know the whereabouts of Dr Mehlape before robbing one of them of a cellphone.
The suspects ordered the relatives to Dr Mehlape's bedroom, where they woke him up and demanded money.
It's alleged after he gave them a wallet containing an undisclosed amount of cash, they then shot him several times and fled the scene on foot.
Family spokesman Thoakge Mehlape said they still can’t believe what happened.
“Our hearts are broken, and we are still trying to come to terms with his passing. We are trying to bear the pain but it’s not easy. We all loved him as he had a good relationship with everyone in the Mehlape family,” he said.
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Education MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya said she was saddened by the passing of one of the brilliant minds in the education sector.
“I send my sincere condolences to his children who were in the house during the horrific incident. I was looking forward to seeing him and other hard-working colleagues when we award our top matric achievers in January 2024,” she said.
Lerule-Ramakhanya said Dr Mehlape diligently led one of the best-performing circuits for 15 years in the Capricorn South District.
“He has left a big void in the district looking at the role he played to ensure that there is a positive upward results trajectory across all grades. He oversaw 12 secondary and 18 primary schools."
She said she is confident police will hunt the suspects and bring them to book.
Limpopo police spokesman Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said they are investigating cases of house robbery and murder.
“A directive for an immediate and intensive manhunt to apprehend the suspects involved in the cold-blooded murder has been issued and anyone with information is requested to contact Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Boshomane on 079 894 5501 or Warrant Officer Detective Phaladi Makola on 082 749 2233,” he said.
