Mokoena Letsie died after he was allegedly shot 17 times at the Hashtag informal settlement in Sonderwater, Ikageng, on Wednesday night, 27 May.
A prominent community activist and working-class campaigner from Potchefstroom, North West has been shot dead in what fellow activists believe was a political assassination.
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Mokoena Letsie (40), a leader linked to the Solidarity Action Committee Collective (SACC) and Potch4Palestine, died after he was allegedly shot 17 times at the Hashtag informal settlement in Sonderwater, Ikageng, on Wednesday night, 27 May 2026.
Another man was also wounded in the shooting and remains in hospital in a serious condition after suffering a gunshot wound to the head.
The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (Giwusa) described Letsie as “a colossal figure of the working class” who spent years organising poor communities around housing, jobs and service delivery issues.
In a strongly worded statement, Giwusa claimed Letsie had been “politically assassinated”.
“He was killed because he organised the poor. He was killed because he built a working-class alternative to the establishment,” the union said.
According to Giwusa, Letsie had allegedly faced years of intimidation and recent threats linked to his activism and growing political influence in informal settlements around Potchefstroom.
Police confirmed the fatal shooting.
North West police spokeswoman Sergeant Kelebogile Morake said Ikageng cops are investigating cases of murder and attempted murder.
“Police responded to a shooting incident and upon arrival at the scene, found spent cartridges and live ammunition lying on the ground.”
“A bystander informed police that two injured victims had already been rushed to a local hospital.”
Morake said Letsie sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead on arrival at hospital.
“The second male victim sustained a gunshot wound to the head and remains admitted to hospital in a serious condition,” she said.
No arrests have been made.
North West acting police commissioner Major-General Dr Ryno Naidoo condemned the shooting and urged community members to assist cops with information.
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Giwusa has demanded immediate arrests, no bail for suspects, and a full investigation into alleged threats and intimidation leading up to Letsie’s death.
“We call on all workers, trade unions, informal settlement dwellers, and progressive formations to demand justice for Cde Mokoena,” the union said.
