A late night argument outside a Rustenburg pub turned violent when a man allegedly shot one woman and attempted to kill another before fleeing the scene, sparking a high-stakes police chase that ended in his arrest in the early hours of Sunday, November 24. The arrest unfolded just hours after the suspect, Sonwabo Flenki,44, allegedly committed the shocking crimes outside a pub in Paardekraal near Boitekong, Rustenburg. According to reports, an argument between Flenki and his 30-year-old girlfriend escalated violently, involving another woman.
“Flenki shot a woman in the stomach and leg in the parking area of a pub at Extension 1,” said police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone. Flenki then allegedly turned his firearm on his girlfriend, but a malfunction prevented the second shooting. He fled the scene in a white Volkswagen Polo. Law enforcement in Boitekong immediately issued a lookout for the suspect and his vehicle, resulting in a breakthrough hours later. “Flying Squad members spotted and pulled the vehicle over on the R30 road. The accused was arrested and his vehicle and a firearm were seized,” said Mokgwabone..
Flenki appeared in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, November 26, facing two counts of attempted murder. He remains in custody, with his next court appearance scheduled for Thursday, December 5. Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, the Provincial Police Commissioner, commended the squad’s efforts, saying, “their diligence and swift reaction led to this arrest”. He further praised the teamwork that ensured public safety.
Mark Lifman murder: Call for a ban on media photographers
The two hitmen accused of murdering alleged underworld kingpin Mark Lifman will have to wait a month for their bail hearings, which have been scheduled for December 12 and 13 at the George Magistrate’s Court. Johann Jacobs and Gert Bezuidenhout made their second appearance on murder charges on Wednesday morning following the high-profile shooting at Garden Route Mall. The two, both employed as private security guards — with Jacobs having a background as a former South African Police Service (SAPS) Task Force member — were arrested near Uniondale on November 3, shortly after the execution-style hit that shocked the province.
Mark Lifman, who was on trial for the murder of slain steroid king Brian Wainstein, was gunned down in the mall parking lot. He was shot multiple times and collapsed as police, working with security companies, traced the white VW Golf used by the suspects. In the courtroom on Wednesday, Jacobs and Bezuidenhout appeared wearing K-Way hoodies, accompanied by heavily armed SAPS Riot Police who secured the courtroom entrances. During the proceedings, the State prosecutor informed the magistrate that identity parades had not yet been completed, and asked for a ban on media photographers until the process was finished.
Attorney Bulelani Bans, who officially came on record for the defense, stated that he had consulted with the families of the accused. Legal representatives also informed the court that an advocate from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions would be assigned to the case, requesting a postponement to December for formal bail hearings. The case has been rescheduled for December 12 and 13, when the accused will have the opportunity to apply for bail.
