{
  "id": 15934875,
  "title": "Manhunt launched after twin businessmen shot dead in Free State",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/manhunt-launched-after-twin-businessmen-shot-dead-in-free-state",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T19:00:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/crime/manhunt-launched-after-twin-businessmen-shot-dead-in-free-state/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Police in South Africa's Free State have initiated a manhunt following the fatal shooting of two businessmen, identified as twin brothers, at their business premises in Bochabela, Mangaung, on Wednesday morning. The South African Police Service (Saps) confirmed that Kegomodicoe and Keabecoe Lekone, aged 52, were fatally shot while inside their charcoal-colored Ford Ranger at the gate of the Ramatsoele Street property. The attack occurred around 9 am, and both men, who were known to own Ekhayeni Lounge Bar, sustained gunshot wounds. An ER24 paramedic declared both victims deceased at the scene, leading to the opening of two murder cases at the Mangaung Police Station.\n\nWitnesses claim that a male heard gunshots while inside a double-storey building and rushed outside to investigate. The witness saw an African male running towards a white Chevrolet Aveo hatchback, though it is unclear whether the suspect had an object in their hands. The vehicle allegedly sped off after the shots were fired. Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane, a spokesperson for the Saps, also mentioned that there may have been two additional occupants in the vehicle.\n\nPolice are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist with the investigation. Potential witnesses can contact Colonel Msokoli Bolsick at 082-466-8530, report information at the nearest police station, submit details via the MySAPS app, or call the Saps Crime Stop number at 08600-10111. The twins had previously been convicted in a Maung Municipality fraud and money laundering case, receiving eight years' imprisonment each on 22 October 2012.",
  "summary": "The Ekhayeni Lounge Bar owners were declared dead at the scene, with police appealing for information about the suspects.",
  "key_points": [
    "Twin businessmen Kegomodicoe and Keabecoe Lekone, 52, shot dead in Bochabela, Free State.",
    "Attack occurred at Ramatsoele Street property around 9 am on Wednesday morning.",
    "Police launched manhunt, seek information from public to aid investigation."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}