-
Nine police officers are set to appear in the Bultfontein Magistrate’s Court on murder charges following a fatal 2024 shooting incident
Nine police officers are expected to appear in the Bultfontein Magistrate’s Court on Monday, facing four counts of murder.
The officers were arrested at the Bultfontein police station following an investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), into a shooting incident in September 2024.
Three civilians and one police officer were killed during the incident.
WATCH | IPID has arrested nine police officers from the Bultfontein Public Order Policing Unit in the Free State, linked to the alleged murder of three civilians and a fellow officer, Constable Mojalefa Borole. SABC News reporter Makgala Masiteng has more. pic.twitter.com/7lVs2ca6La
— SABC News (@SABCNews) April 11, 2026
VIDEO | Nine Free State officers arrested for murders
Nine officers, six of them attached to the Bultfontein police station. Their arrest is linked to a response by the Public Order Police Unit to a domestic dispute over a stolen cellphone.
It is alleged that a shootout broke out, resulting in the deaths of three civilians and a police officer, Constable Mojalefa Borole.
IPID Spokesperson Phaladi Shupping says, “Police responded to a complaint about a stolen cellphone. During that process, a shooting occurred where a police officer was killed. Backup was called. It is alleged that officers forced their way into the house and shot three family members who were inside.”
IPID Acting Head of Investigations, Thuso Keefelakae says the arrest of multiple officers is a difficult but necessary step.
Keefelakae has warned that such incidents place strain on already limited policing resources and may affect service delivery.
“This is a small station serving a small town and surrounding farms, which is a concern. However, as IPID, we are mandated to investigate such matters without fear, favour or prejudice.”
The arrests sent shockwaves through the Bultfontein community.
Bultfontein CPF Chairperson George Masheane says, “This is disturbing. Our community is already facing crime challenges, including drugs. We need more police on duty, not fewer. A shortage of officers will create more problems.”
The officers are currently being held in Welkom.
SAPS management says additional resources have been deployed to the Bultfontein police station to ensure that service delivery is not affected.
Authorities have assured the community that there are enough officers to continue policing the area. – Reporting by Lebohang Motshweneng
