The family of Thapelo Modise, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula’s bodyguard, suspects foul play after he allegedly shot himself in custody.
They spoke to the media and are demanding answers from the cops as to how their son ended up blowing himself up.
How Fikile Mbalula’s Bodyguard Shot Himself
Police have since launched an inquest into Modise’s death. The 30-year-old man shot himself while being processed after his drunk driving arrest at a Soweto roadblock on Friday night.
The incident occurred around 10 pm in Dobsonville at a roadblock on Luthuli and Elias Motsoaledi roads.
The police statement said:
“MPO Mabasa arrested an African male for drunken driving. She took the suspect to the nurses at the station to take blood. While in the boardroom, he requested to speak to Lt. Col. Moagi and told the colonel that he was a bodyguard of the former Minister Fikile Mbalula.
“He then drew the firearm and shot himself in the head, sitting on the chair. There was a nurse, two other drunken driving suspects and three JMPD officers. IPID was contacted, officer Phakula attended, LCRC WO Zikalala attended the scene. Inquest case will be registered.”
The motive behind his actions remains unclear.
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Modise Family Demands Answers
The Modise family has so many unanswered questions. They are wondering how the police left Thapelo with a firearm after arresting him.
His mother, Susan Modise, is bitter. The police visited their home at 4.20 am on Saturday, 18 May 2024, inviting them to Dobsonville Police Station because the station commander asked to see them.
She told Zimoja:
“How did they let Thapelo in the van without searching him? I asked them why and what was happening, but they didn’t disclose. So, I asked my sister to accompany me. When we got to the station, they told us that they called us there bearing bad news and told us Thapelo had died.
“I asked them how, and they said he shot himself while waiting for blood to be taken for drunken driving and was in the next office. Just like that, my son was gone. His body was covered in bruises. His was heavily swollen on the face.
“The gunshot wound was at the back of his head. He was sitting as if he was asleep and would wake up. However, his blood and brains were scattered on the floor. We are devastated and traumatised to the extent that we want answers, even from the nurse who was with Thapelo in that room.
“She needs to tell us what happened before he took his life. We have so many questions, so we will wait for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s (IPID) investigation and hope that we get the right outcome so that we can get closure.”