HLANGANANI – The police in Hlanganani have launched a manhunt, following the death of a 52-year-old woman, Mphephu Lerisa Ngobeni, of Olifantshoek Village.

The incident relating to the case took place at Olifantshoek village last Friday night.

According to Insp. Moatshe Ngoepe, the police spokesperson in Mopani, the deceased was fast asleep when she heard a knock at the door of the house in which she was sleeping. When she enquired as to who was knocking, the suspect responded and said he was unknown to her.

He stated that he too did not know her. He further indicated that he was from the Reef and that he had some goods to give to her that were from her relatives. The woman opened the house, since she had some relatives on the Reef who sent her some goods at times.

The man was carrying a bag. He then told the deceased to wait for a while, saying he was taking the goods from the bag. Instead of goods, the man took out a firearm from the bag and shot the woman three times in the head. She died on the spot.

The culprit vanished in the darkness after the incident. According to the police statement, nothing was stolen from the deceased's house during the incident. The police did not know the motive for her murder, as the culprit was still at large at the time of going to press.

The police have appealed to anyone with information relating to the incident to contact the nearest police station. They reiterated that all information shall be treated as confidential.