MAHIKENG - The family of Thato Molosankwe has welcomed the arrest of two suspects in connection with the slain social activist’s murder.
The suspects' arrest was confirmed during a media briefing led by North West Acting Police Commissioner Ryno Naidoo on Friday.
The suspects are aged between 28 and 38.
READ | Two arrested in the murder of activist Thato Molosankwe
Molosankwe’s brother, Liviticus Molosankwe, said the breakthrough brings some relief, but it also reopens the pain of losing their loved one.
“We receive the news with mixed feelings. On the one side, we are excited that Thato’s murder suspects have been arrested. On the other side, it's like the 20th of May when we received bad news about Thato’s murder,” he said.
Molosankwe was shot and killed at his home in Lomanayaneng village on 20 May.
His murder sent shockwaves through the province’s activist community, with many left fearing for their own safety.
Liviticus has described the journey to healing as one that is ongoing.
“We are still grieving and trying to come to terms with our brother's death. But we are happy about the developments from the South African Police Service. We are hopeful that from now on, they will still utilise maximum resources to get the last suspect and the ammunition that took our brother away,” he said.
READ | North West activist Thato Molosankwe shot dead
According to Naidoo, immediately after the incident, the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit launched an intensive investigation.
He said evidence gathered thus far indicated that these suspects formed part of the group responsible for attacking Molosankwe.
Naidoo said they are yet to recover the firearm used in the murder as well as the vehicle the suspects fled in.
“We do confirm that we are aware of the whereabouts of the vehicle, and we are in the process of seizing it.”
To date, the motive of the murder is unknown, but Naidoo said they could not rule out the possibility of his activism against crime being the one reason why he was targeted.