Two bodyguards of the mayor of the Madibeng local municipality, Douglas Maimane, are due to appear in court on Wednesday after they allegedly killed a SA Air Force sergeant in front of his wife in Mabopane, near Pretoria, last week.

Michael Swanton. (36)

The accused, Thabang Eugene Sohole (41) and Michael Makampe (42) appeared in court on Monday where they faced charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice.

The incident occurred on Wednesday (28 January 2026) around 8pm. Michael Swanton (36) and his wife, Stephanie, both members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), were travelling along Eskia Mphahlele Drive towards the R80 in Mabopane when they were stopped by occupants of a dark BMW SUV fitted with flashing blue lights.

“It is alleged that Sohole and Makampe exited the BMW, one of them armed with an R5 rifle, and approached the couple’s vehicle. The deceased was seated in the passenger seat, while his wife was the driver. The two allegedly questioned the couple about a missing rear number plate before returning to their vehicle,” according to Regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Lumka Mahanjana.

“The deceased then followed them to check their identification and establish whether they were police officials with lawful authority to stop and question them. As he approached the BMW, he was shot in the head and died at the scene,” said Mahanjana.

Mahanjana said a few hours later, Sohole and Makampe handed themselves over at the Hercules Police Station, where they claimed they had been victims of an attempted hijacking and that a shooting had taken place on the R80.

Michael Swanton’s wife Stephanie said his death was unnecessary.

She said a memorial service would be held for her 36-year-old husband at Air Force Base Swartkop on Wednesday.

A Swanton family member, speaking anonymously for fear of being targeted, said the family was struggling to come to terms with his death.

“It’s hard to put into words, the family is struggling to process the reality.”

The family member said Swanton’s children, aged two and four, will never have the opportunity to know their dad.

“He was the youngest of three and leaves behind two sisters.

“One of his sisters flew in from London to attend his memorial. All they do is cry. He was close to his parents, hence, they are finding it difficult to find peace.”

The case was postponed to February 4, 2026, for a formal bail application.

Stephany and Michael Swanton with their two childrem.