Bodyguards of Madibeng mayor in court for murder of Air Force Sergeant

Two VIP protection officers assigned to the Madibeng Local Municipality Mayor, Douglas Maimane, appeared briefly before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court in connection with a fatal shooting of a South African Air Force Sergeant Michael Swanton.

The accused, Thabang Eugene Sohole, 41, and Michael Makampe, 42, appeared in court on Monday where they faced charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice.

The incident occurred on January 28, 2026, around 8pm. The 36-year-old 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 stopped by occupants of a dark BMW SUV fitted with flashing blue lights.

Regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Lumka Mahanjana, said when the couple turned onto the R80 towards Mabopane, where they were allegedly forced to pull over.

"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. As he approached the BMW, he was shot in the head and died at the scene," said Mahanjana.

Mahanjana said a few hours later, Sohole and Makampe handed themselves over at the Hercules Police Station, where they claimed they had been victims of an attempted hijacking and that a shooting had taken place on the R80.

The case was postponed to February 4, 2026, for a formal bail application.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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