Polokwane – A 60-year-old man was fatally shot and his car hijacked by the assailant whose attempt to drive off ended shortly afterwards in a crash.
Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the deadly incident occurred on Saturday, 1 August 2026, at Ga-Matlou Village, Moletjie in the Seshego policing area outside Polokwane, Limpopo.
Colonel Ledwaba said preliminary investigations revealed that the victim was a passenger in a silver Hyundai H1 driven by his son from Ga-Chokoe to Moletjie Moshate.
“Along the route, they noticed a couple hitchhiking and stopped to offer assistance,” said the police spokesperson.
While the deceased was trying to find out from the couple where they were hitchhiking to, a man wearing cream-white clothing approached them, opened the driver’s door and produced a pistol.
“The suspect allegedly fired several shots at the driver, who managed to escape unharmed by jumping out of the vehicle and running to the rear,” said Colonel Ledwaba.
“The suspect then allegedly hijacked the vehicle and drove away.
“The driver attempted to hold onto the moving vehicle through the open rear boot but eventually fell off.”
Colonel Ledwaba said police officers responded to the shooting incident at about 19:42.
“The hijacked vehicle was recovered shortly after the incident in a nearby village after the suspect allegedly lost control of it and fled the scene on foot,” the police spokesperson said.
“A search was subsequently conducted, and the victim was found lying next to the road, near a local tavern, with multiple gunshot wounds.
“He was certified dead at the scene.”
Police investigations are continuing.
Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers, has strongly condemned the brutal killing and urged anyone with information that could assist in tracing the suspect to come forward.
Police are appealing to anyone with information that may assist in the investigation or lead to the identification and arrest of the suspect to contact the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Motlatjo Seja, on 062 539 3479, the Crime Stop number 08600 10111, the MySAPS App, or report it at the nearest police station.
