Picture: The late Thato Molosankwe
By OBAKENG MAJE
25 May 2026 – The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi will undertake a visit to the Molosankwe family following the gruesome killing of community activist, Thato Molosankwe. Affectionately known as Senganga, Sanusi and Ramatsela, Molosankwe was widely recognised for his activism and community mobilisation efforts against crime and service delivery across many communities in North West.
Mokgosi described Molosankwe as a courageous and outspoken community leader, who dedicated his life to the service of communities and residents of the province.
“We are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Molosankwe. His contribution towards community activism and social justice will not be forgotten. We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and the broader community during this difficult period.
“We will be visiting Molosankwe’s family in Lomanyaneng village, near Mahikeng on Tuesday at 2pm,” he said.
The North West MEC for the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng has called for calm following the brutal killing of Molosankwe. Morweng said according to the police, Molosankwe was shot and killed in the early hours of this morning, 20 May 2026, at the family business premises in Lomanyaneng village, outside Mahikeng.
“We appeal for calm to allow the police to conduct the investigation unobstructed. We implore the community to assist the police with any information, however innocuous it may seem to expedite speedy apprehension of the doers of this heinous crime.
“Molosankwe sprung to national prominence about 16 years ago when he walked over 1 300 kilometres from Cape Town to Mahikeng. The gruelling but meritorious act was to raise awareness of women and child abuse. In 2018, he embarked on yet another even more arduous but ambitious solo walk from Cape to Cairo.
“This trip, had it been successful, would have covered 24 000 kilometres going through 49 of the 54 African countries. However, immigration challenges experienced in Zambia meant cul-de-sac to the trip,” he said.
Morweng further said it was after this that he began community activism sharply raising various societal issues, especially about service delivery. He added that it was during what is referred to as the ‘July Unrest’ that he endeared himself to local business.
“The July 2021 unrest primarily affected the KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng Provinces resulting in over 350 deaths and an estimated R50 billion in economic damages. Molosankwe and a group of other local activists galvanised local communities to not only desist from looting shops, but protect businesses from acts of any criminality.
“With the community support, the cold-blooded criminals who did this will be apprehended. Once more, we are appealing for calm as such a dastardly act has a potential to whip up emotions. We are confident that soon the police will have a breakthrough.
We send our deepest sympathies to the Molosankwe family and all those whose lives have been touched by Thato’s generosity”, said Morweng.
Meanwhile, the Tshenolo PI said: “As we undertake the investigation into the tragic killing of Molosankwe, we would like to appreciate each and every person who may have information that could assist in this case.
“We are specifically requesting any information regarding the incident. Screenshots of posts or comments made by individuals who allegedly stated that Molosankwe would die. Especially comments linked to previous statements he made regarding a biker who was killed.”
The investigating pundit said any small piece of information may assist greatly in the investigation. Tshenolo PI said they urge anyone who has information to contact them privately, anonymously, or simply send the information to their inbox.
“A reward will also be made available for credible information and credible informants. We believe that people assisting in the fight for justice should not work for free. Please contact us on 066 472 7099 or 060 853 9338 on WhatsApp.
“All information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality and your identity will be protected. Our team has already developed several leads, and we strongly believe that with public assistance together with the information already gathered, we stand a much better chance of solving this matter as quickly as possible,” said Tshenolo PI.
They said they are working tirelessly on this case. Tshenolo PI said their team did not sleep last night because they are determined to make progress before Molosankwe is laid to rest.
“Let us work together. Justice must prevail,” they said.
The Guardian 