Four individuals accused of killing Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officer Matome Mokoena made their court appearance at the Lenasia Magistrate's Court on May 20, 2025. The primary defendant, Tshiamiso Tvdi Lefakae from Lenasia South, has secured private legal representation, while his co-accused—Bongani Nhlanhla Mphye from Vlakfontein, Buhle Mahlangu from Lenasia South, and Tisetso Sikhaklame from Vlakfontein—have requested legal aid assistance. The proceedings have been adjourned until May 28, 2025, allowing time for Legal Aid attorneys to represent the remaining defendants, who will continue to be held in custody.
The defendants face multiple charges including murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, and obstruction of justice.
On May 14, 2025, Officer Mokoena was shot nine times while responding to a robbery call in Vlakfontein. JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla reported that officers had located and stopped a white Volkswagen Polo containing five occupants. As Officer Mokoena approached the driver's side, the occupants opened fire, striking him multiple times.
"They pursued him to a nearby property where they fatally shot him. The assailants then took his service weapon and patrol vehicle, which was later recovered abandoned in Lehea after being remotely disabled by Fleet Services," Fihla explained.
Fihla additionally reported that a civilian was shot and killed in the vicinity, with evidence suggesting a connection to the suspects in Officer Mokoena's attack.
A coordinated 72-hour operation involving JMPD and various law enforcement agencies led to arrests on May 15 and 17, 2025. Two suspects were captured on May 15, while three more, aged between 20 and 35, were apprehended on May 17 in Dobsonville, Soweto, for their alleged role in Officer Mokoena's murder.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale confirmed that the three suspects were located by a joint team comprising the Vaal Rand and Pretoria-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation units of the Hawks, the National Priority Violent Crime Investigation unit, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police, Provincial Crime Intelligence, and the Gauteng Provincial Tracking Team.
"The investigation directed officers to a Dobsonville residence where they discovered the vehicle allegedly used in the crime, along with two firearms—one with an obliterated serial number and the other identified as the slain officer's service weapon," she stated.
Mogale noted that the first two suspects, aged 25 and 27, were arrested by the Vaal Rand-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation team on May 15, 2025. Reports indicated that JMPD officers had responded to gunfire at Winchester Street, Extension 1, Vlakfontein on May 14, where they discovered their colleague had been fatally shot by unknown assailants.
She detailed how the JMPD team had approached the suspect vehicle using tactical procedures but were met with gunfire, resulting in the suspect escaping with the officer's service weapon. Medical responders pronounced the officer deceased at the scene. The case was transferred to the Vaal Rand Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit on May 15, 2025, who immediately commenced gathering evidence.
A fifth suspect has yet to appear before the court, and the publication awaits clarification from Mogale regarding this absence. She has committed to providing updates as additional information becomes available.
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