---
title: "Foreign nationals’ stalls attacked after community pressure group treasurer assassinated in Bloemfontein"
description: "Chaos broke out Sunday morning in Rocklands, Bloemfontein, when residents began attacking street stalls owned by foreign nationals after the shooting of businessman Themba Mothibi."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "MANGAUNG VIOLENCE"
author: "Cathy Dlodlo"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/cathy-dlodlo/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-02-05-foreign-nationals-stalls-attacked-after-community-pressure-group-treasurer-assassinated-in-bloemfontein/"
published: "2023-02-05T22:19:48"
updated: "2023-02-05T23:47:39"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 293
---

# Foreign nationals’ stalls attacked after community pressure group treasurer assassinated in Bloemfontein

> Chaos broke out Sunday morning in Rocklands, Bloemfontein, when residents began attacking street stalls owned by foreign nationals after the shooting of businessman Themba Mothibi.

By Cathy Dlodlo · Published 6 February 2023, 00:19 SAST · Updated 6 February 2023, 01:47 SAST

## Key points
- People in Rocklands, Mangaung told Daily Maverick that the murder of businessman and treasurer of pressure group Mangaung Concerned Community (MCC), Themba Mothibi, was in retaliation for a fight that broke out at his establishment. Three foreign nationals were arrested and will face charges of murder, attempted murder and more. As news spread, people took to the street and trashed stalls, leaving only one standing. The MCC is still investigating the incident and will release a statement in due course.
- Themba Mothibi, treasurer of Mangaung Concerned Community, was shot in the early hours of Sunday.
- A bystander was also hit by a bullet in the hand.
- Three foreign nationals were arrested and will appear in court on Tuesday to face charges.
- People took to the street, trashing stalls owned by foreign nationals.

## Content

People in Rocklands, Mangaung told Daily Maverick that the incident was in retaliation for the murder of businessman and treasurer of pressure group Mangaung Concerned Community (MCC), Themba Mothibi.

Police spokesperson Thabo Covane said 46-year-old Mothibi, owner of By Hoek Lounge in Rocklands, was shot in the early hours of Sunday. Initial reports indicate that Mothibi had intervened after a fight broke out at the venue on Saturday evening.

![The By Hoek Lounge in Rocklands, where businessman Themba Mothibi (46) was shot in the early hours of Sunday. (Photo: Google Maps)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/i7b-X0JuJuftYld_GERvQoj2ZDc=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Cathy-Bloem-Rocklands-ByHoekLounge.png)

*By Hoek Lounge in Rocklands, where businessman Themba Mothibi (46) was shot in the early hours of Sunday. (Photo: Google Street View)*

![Angry community members went on a rampage on Sunday, barricading roads and leaving a trail of destruction. (Photo: Olebogeng Motse)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/duJlbLvfSwhpZZoOoTBzy6bDFds=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/WhatsApp-Image-2023-02-05-at-17.51.45-1.jpeg)

*Angry community members again went on a rampage on Sunday afternoon, barricading roads and leaving a trail of destruction. (Photo: Olebogeng Motse)*

Covane said that later, as Mothibi was closing the establishment, a suspect returned and shot him. Mothibi was declared dead at the scene. Another bullet hit a bystander in the hand.

**Visit**[***Daily Maverick’s*****home page**](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=in_article_link&utm_campaign=homepage)**for more news, analysis and investigations**

After a police hunt for the suspects, three foreign nationals had been arrested, Covane said. They would appear in court on Tuesday to face charges of murder, attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice and being in South Africa without the proper documentation.

![Angry community members went on a rampage again on Sunday afternoon, barricading roads and leaving a trail of destruction. (Photo: Olebogeng Motse)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/r2ctlfNK84NCJSEHLeNjAblci2c=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/WhatsApp-Image-2023-02-05-at-17.51.46.jpeg)

*Angry community members again went on a rampage on Sunday afternoon, barricading roads and leaving a trail of destruction. (Photo: Olebogeng Motse)*

As news of the shooting travelled, people took to the street. During *Daily Maverick’s* visit to Rocklands only one stall — which appeared to be owned by a South African national— was left standing.

MCC spokesperson Themba Zweni confirmed that Mothibi had been a leader in the organisation. He said the MCC was, however, still investigating the incident and the subsequent trashing of stalls, and would release a statement in due course. **DM**