Police in Ficksburg, Free State, have launched a manhunt for an unknown hitchhiker and gunman who killed a driver and his passenger on Tuesday.

GUNSHOT WOUNDS

It is alleged that Ficksburg Police were called to Extension 11 in Meqheleng, a township in Ficksburg, and on arrival they were pointed to a white bakkie with a broken rear window.  

Ficksburg Police Station Commander Colonel Sephiwe Kunene said upon investigation, the police found two males aged 39 and 45 with gunshot wounds in the car.  

"Officers were also pointed to another person, aged 30, lying on the ground bleeding. Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene and declared the driver and his one passenger dead on the scene. The other passenger was rushed to hospital with a bullet wound in the body," he said.

Kunene said that it is alleged that the victims gave an unknown African male a lift and he climbed at back of the bakkie.  

"When they were about to enter the informal settlement, the suspect broke the window and started shooting at people in the vehicle, killing the driver and his passenger and injuring the one who was sitting in the rear seat. He then fled from the scene. Ficksburg police are investigating two cases of murder and one of attempted murder," he said.

Kunene further urged the community to assist in apprehending the perpetrator as it is believed that he stays in the same area.