SAPS opens murder case after Chris Hani MMC found dead

The South African Police Service has confirmed that a murder case has been opened following the killing of Chris Hani District Municipality MMC for Corporate Services, Cllr Thumeka Bikwana.

The 46-year-old councillor was found dead at her home in the Tshatshu Administrative Area near Cacadu on Tuesday morning, 05 May 2026.

According to police, a witness arrived at the property at around 09:45 and found the councillor’s driver waiting outside the yard.

“The driver complained that he had been waiting for a long time, but the councillor was not coming out,” SAPS said in a statement.

The witness reportedly went to investigate and found the front door of the house wide open.

Inside the home, Bikwana was allegedly discovered lying on her back in a pool of blood with a bullet wound to her head.

Police said the motive for the killing remains unknown at this stage and no arrests have yet been made.

The case was initially opened at Bholotwa SAPS before being transferred to the Provincial Organised Crime Detectives for further investigation.

The killing has sent shockwaves through the Chris Hani District, where Bikwana served as MMC for Corporate Services.

In an earlier statement, the municipality described her as a dedicated and disciplined public servant who had served the district municipality for around two decades under several portfolios, including Budget and Treasury Services, Technical Services, Special Programmes Unit and Corporate Services.

The municipality said she would be remembered for her integrity and ethical leadership in governance.

Investigations into the murder are continuing.