Heilbron Sergeant Thabiso Mareletse dies in accident while on duty

HEILBRON - The 45-Year-old Sergeant Thabiso Andries Mareletse from the Heilbron SAPS tragically died early on Thursday morning, 9 January 2025, in an accident on the Heilbron-Edenville road outside Heilbron. His colleague, 31-year-old Constable Bongani Xanko, was seriously injured and has been hospitalized. According to Brigadier Motantsi Makhele, the officers from the Heilbron police station were on duty and fully uniformed. Preliminary investigations suggest that they were pursuing a suspect in a Nissan Sentra, possibly involved in livestock theft around 02:30 in the morning. During the high-speed chase, Mareletse reportedly lost control, leading to the vehicle rolling. Mareletse succumbed to his injuries at the scene, while Xanko was rushed to the hospital. Free State Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, expressed his condolences to Mareletse’s family, friends, and colleagues. Motswenyane said it is heartbreaking to lose three officers in such a short period while performing their duties. He wished Constable Xanko a speedy recovery. The investigation is ongoing.