Shock, grief and outrage continue to ripple across the North West province and the rest of South Africa following the brutal assassination of community activist, traditional healer and anti-crime campaigner, Thato Molosankwe.

Molosankwe, popularly known as “Senganga-Credo-Ramatsela”, was gunned down at his home in Lomanyaneng village near Mahikeng in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Police confirmed that the 43-year-old sustained multiple gunshot wounds in what authorities have described as a targeted and brutal attack.

His killing has sparked an outpouring of tributes from government leaders, activists, community organisations and ordinary South Africans, many describing him as a fearless voice against crime, corruption and social decay.

The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West said it was devastated by the killing of a man it described as a passionate servant of the people.

MRM provincial convenor Lesiba Kgwele condemned the murder and urged police to leave no stone unturned in pursuing those behind the assassination.

“We are saddened by this heart-wrenching incident and wish to convey our deepest condolences to the Molosankwe family, the local business and informal sector, the Men’s Sector he served with passion and the broader Mahikeng community,” Kgwele said.

He appealed for calm while calling on residents to cooperate with investigators from the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit.

“The swift arrest of the perpetrators will restore confidence in the criminal justice system. No one in our communities will be safe until the marauding gang of heartless murderers is unmasked, disarmed and removed from society,” he added.

The MRM also highlighted Molosankwe’s activism during the July 2021 unrest, where he mobilised communities to protect businesses under the #NOTINOURTOWN campaign.

He was also remembered for his long-distance awareness walks, including the #FatherSonMentorshipWalk, which covered more than 1,300 kilometres from Cape Town to Mahikeng to raise awareness against the abuse of women and children.

Another campaign, the #MoralRegenerationWalk, saw him travel across 49 African states advocating against gender-based violence, rape, drugs and corruption while promoting peace and unity.

The South African Police Service confirmed that Acting National Commissioner Puleng Dimpane has ordered maximum resources to be deployed to track down Molosankwe’s killers.

In a statement, Dimpane strongly condemned the murder and described Molosankwe as a community-minded activist who worked closely with police in fighting crime and corruption.

“No stone will be left unturned until those responsible are found and brought to book,” she said.

North West Acting Provincial Commissioner Ryno Naidoo has been tasked with overseeing the investigation.

Meanwhile, the North West Legislature Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management also condemned the killing, warning that attacks on activists and whistleblowers threatened democracy and community safety.

Committee chairperson Freddy Sonakile said Molosankwe’s death should strengthen the resolve to continue fighting for justice and accountability.

“May his death not be in vain, and may it strengthen the resolve to continue the fight for justice, accountability and the emancipation of our communities,” Sonakile said.

Messages of grief and anger have also flooded social media platform X, where many users linked Molosankwe’s killing to his outspoken stance against organised crime, illegal immigration, corruption and ATM bombing syndicates in the province.

One user wrote: “Thato ‘Senganga’ Molosankwe’s assassination may not be an easy one to crack. In his stellar activism work, he was vocal about ANC corruption in North West, illegal land occupation and ATM bombers. This makes it difficult to determine who ordered the hit.”

Others described him as a fearless activist who dedicated his life to uplifting communities despite receiving criticism and threats.

Molosankwe was widely known in Mahikeng not only as an activist but also as a humanitarian and moral crusader. Through the Thato Molosankwe Charity Foundation, he championed campaigns focused on fatherhood, moral regeneration, gender-based violence and substance abuse.

He also lived at the historic Credo Mutwa Cultural Village, where he frequently spoke out about local governance failures, crime and deteriorating social conditions.

In one emotional video circulating on social media following his death, Molosankwe is heard speaking about mortality and saying that if he were ever shot dead, his traditional healer will officiate his burial.

His family has since announced that a candle-lighting ceremony will be held on Friday evening at KoShopong in Lomanyaneng village. Funeral and memorial details are expected to be communicated in the coming days.

As tributes continue pouring in, many South Africans say Molosankwe’s death has once again highlighted the dangers faced by activists and community leaders who speak out against crime and corruption.

His assassination comes just days before Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and SAPS leadership are expected to release the country’s fourth-quarter crime statistics, placing renewed focus on violent crime and the safety of activists across the country.

For many in Mahikeng, however, Molosankwe was more than an activist. He was a fearless community voice who refused to be silenced — until bullets ended his life.