South Africa: Twin Brothers Who Owned Ekhayeni Lounge Bar Shot Dead

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched a manhunt for suspects after twin brothers and businessmen were shot dead at the gate of their premises in Bochabela, near Bloemfontein, on Wednesday morning.

The victims, identified as Kegomodicoe Lekone and Keabecoe Lekone, both 52, were owners of Ekhayeni Lounge Bar.

According to a police statement, the incident occurred on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in Ramatsoele Street, Bochabela.

Police at Mangaung Police Station received a report of a shooting in progress from Radio Control 10111 at about 8:51am. Officers on patrol responded and arrived at the scene around 9am.

Preliminary information indicated that the brothers were inside their charcoal-coloured Ford Ranger at the gate of the premises when they were shot.

“Both the driver and the passenger sustained gunshot wounds. An ER24 paramedic declared both victims deceased at the scene,” the statement said.

The police identified Kegomodicoe Lekone as the driver at the time of the shooting.

A witness who was inside a double-storey building on the premises told investigators that he heard gunshots from upstairs and went outside to establish the source. The witness allegedly saw a man running towards a white Chevrolet Aveo hatchback before the vehicle sped away. He could not establish whether the man was carrying an object.

Police said there might have been two other occupants inside the vehicle.

Two murder cases have been opened at Mangaung Police Station, while the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes, Murder and Robbery Unit has taken over investigations.

Police have appealed to members of the public with information that could help identify or locate the suspects to contact Colonel Msokoli Bolsick on 082 466 8530, report at the nearest police station, submit information through the MySAPS application or call the SAPS CrimeStop line on 08600 10111.