By Mapaballo Borotho

- An Orange Farm police officer has been arrested on charges of murder, attempted murder and handling a firearm in public while allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
- Prosecutors say an argument over the last portion of chicken gizzards at a Sebokeng food outlet escalated into a shooting, leaving one person dead and several others injured.
- The accused appeared in the Sebokeng Magistrate’s Court, where the matter was postponed to 20 July 2026.
A police officer attached to the Orange Farm Police Station has been arrested on charges of murder, attempted murder, and handling a firearm in public while under the influence of alcohol.
Elias Moeketsi Pinkoane was arrested after he was allegedly involved in a fatal altercation with a vendor and another customer at a food outlet in Sebokeng.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Pinkoane went to the establishment on the morning of 12 July 2026 to purchase chicken gizzards.
Upon arrival, he was informed that the chicken gizzards had been sold out. He allegedly asked the vendor who had purchased the last portion, and the vendor pointed out another customer.
The accused then approached the customer, and an argument ensued. The dispute allegedly escalated into an altercation over a skewer of chicken gizzards.
During the altercation, the accused walked to the state vehicle, retrieved a firearm through the vehicle window, and opened fire in the direction of the customer and several other people standing nearby before fleeing the scene.
NPA spokesperson Tshegofatso Makhudu said one victim was declared dead at the scene.
“Other victims who sustained injuries were transported to hospital for medical treatment. Later that same day, the accused was arrested at his place of residence,” said Makhudu.
Pinkoane briefly appeared before the Sebokeng Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 15 July 2026, where the matter was postponed to 20 July 2026.
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