By STAFF REPORTER
9 February 2026- The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court has granted R20 000 bail each to two VIP Protection Officers, Thabang Eugene Sohole (41) and Michael Makampe (42) assigned to the Madibeng Local Municipality mayor, Douglas Maimane. Sohole and Makampe are facing charges of murder, defeating the ends of justice and operating a vehicle with blue identification lamps on an unauthorised vehicle on a public road.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said it is alleged that on 28 January 2026, at approximately 8pm, the deceased and his wife, both members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), were travelling along Eskia Mphahlele Drive towards the R80 when they were flagged down by a dark BMW SUV fitted with flashing blue lights. Mahanjana said the couple then turned onto the R80 towards Mabopane, where they were allegedly forced to pull over on the side of the road.
“It is alleged that Sohole and Makampe exited the BMW, one of them armed with an R5 rifle and approached the couple’s vehicle. The deceased was seated in the passenger seat, while his wife was the driver.
“The two allegedly questioned the couple about a missing rear number plate before returning to their vehicle. The deceased then followed them to check their identification and establish whether they were police officials with lawful authority to stop and question them,” she said.
Mahanjana further said as he approached the BMW, he was allegedly shot in the head and died at the scene. She added that a few hours later, the two accused handed themselves over at the Hercules Police Station, claiming that they were victims of an attempted hijacking and that a shooting had occurred on the R80.
“In court the state prosecutor, Chris Maruma opposed their release on bail because the two might try to influence the state witnesses and might interfere with investigations.
“However, magistrate Mphahlele found that exceptional circumstances existed warranting the accused persons’ release on bail,” said Mahanjana.
She said furthermore, Mphahlele ordered that the two should not contact directly or indirectly the state witnesses. Mahanjana said the matter was postponed to 9 April 2026, for further investigations.
The Guardian 