MOTHEO FM presenter Mohlomphehi “Mokoena Champion” Mokoena has died.

According to reports, the 31-year-old died in an apparent hit and run on the N8 between Bloemfontein and Botshabelo in the Free State on Sunday, 2 June alongside his friend, Tshepo Tsebe.

 
Motheo FM station manager Lebogang Matolong said Mokoena Champion’s death is a huge blow to the station and the radio community at large.

“We’ve lost a talented presenter whose future was bright. We still want to know what really happened. Mokoena Champion was still young. We expected a lot from him in our process of building a powerful radio station. He had a huge listenership in Bloemfontein and surrounding areas,” said Lebogang.

Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Thabo Covane said a case of culpable homicide was opened and is being investigated by the Bloemspruit Police Station.

“The police were called to the accident scene and on arrival found two bodies of men lying near a motor vehicle. A woman informed cops that the three of them were driving from Botshabelo when their car got a flat tyre.

“The two men got out of the vehicle to change the flat tyre and the woman alleges that she rested in the backseat and took a nap. She was woken up by a loud bang caused by a collision,” said Covane.

Covane said two unknown men appeared on foot from the direction where a white BMW sedan had stopped and identified the victims by mentioning their names. The men allegedly went back to their car and drove off without reporting the accident.

Mokoena Champion and his friend were declared dead on the scene by emergency medical officials.

Covane said: “Preliminary investigations led the police to an address in Mandela View, but neither the driver nor white BMW were found, although it was confirmed that the owner lives at the place.”