Man wanted for killing siblings

Alex police and the family of two murder victims, who are siblings, are appealing for public support on the whereabouts of a man wanted for questioning in connection with the case.

Colonel Johannes Tau of Alex Police confirmed the suspect was a wanted person, Alex News reported.

The victims are Itumeleng Sefolo, 24, who was the estranged girlfriend of the suspect and her brother Tshepo, 23.

They were shot and killed at their 12th Avenue home at about 6am on 16 July, allegedly by the suspect, Tebogo Padi, who has two children with Itumeleng. The children are said to have witnessed the horrific incident.

At the time, the woman had three protection orders for domestic violence and abuse against the suspect.

The victims’ uncle, Lehlohonolo Lesibu, alleged the suspect arrived at the home in a vehicle the previous evening and took away the children in the absence of their mother and against the deceased brother’s advice.

When Itumeleng returned later and was informed of the suspect’s actions, she phoned him and demanded that he return their children, or she would report him to the police for kidnapping.

They seemingly argued, and he allegedly threatened that she would never see the children again. However, he brought them back the following morning and was met by the brother, who fetched their mother.

Shortly after, Itumeleng was heard shouting and pleading with him not to shoot them, but Lesibu claimed the suspect allegedly fired up to seven shots in succession, which was followed by silence.

Lesibu said he armed himself with an iron rod and confronted the suspect. He claimed he hit the suspect on the head with the rod as he was walking away from the crime scene with the children. He added that they then tussled and both fell to the ground, resulting in the magazine dislodging from the gun.

The suspect allegedly attempted to shoot Lesibu, but the gun wouldn’t discharge, forcing him to flee without the children.

Lesibu then attended to the victims and found Itumeleng to have been shot through the mouth and had gunshot wounds on other parts of her body. She was certified dead on the scene. Tshepo was shot in the chest and died on the way to the Alex Clinic.

The suspect is also said to be wanted by the police for other crimes including robbery.

Details: Please call Alex Police Station on 011 439 7718/9 with any leads.

– Caxton News Service

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