A 32-year-old South African Air Force officer was fatally attacked by unknown assailants outside a Bloemfontein pub in the early hours of Monday morning.
He was a corporal with the air force’s 16 Squadron based at Bloemspruit in the Free State capital.
A statement released by the police said the incident happened outside a pub and grill along Kellner Street in Westdene in the city.
“(Police) received a complaint of an attack at the parking area near the pub at about 03:00,” read part of the statement.
“A patrol vehicle was dispatched to attend to the scene and on arrival the members found (a man) lying on his back,” it added.
Police say witnesses told them they were attacked by four unknown men carrying knives.
The victim was stabbed on the back and robbed of a cellular phone and car keys.
The soldier was declared dead on the scene by paramedics.
A case of murder, with an added charge of robbery, was opened at Parkweg Police Station.
No one has been arrested in connection with the incident and police have launched a manhunt for the suspects.
Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects may contact Constable Thabo Motlohi on 082 525 2603.
Alternatively, the information can be submitted on MySAPS App or call the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111.
In a separate incident, employees of a Home Store outlet in Virginia were overpowered and robbed of cash and cellphones at gun point by four unknown men on Friday last week.
About 300 cellphones and an undisclosed amount of cash were taken during the alleged robbery.
The incident happened at about 16:20 when the manager and his four female colleagues were at work.
One of the men was allegedly armed with a handgun and the other three were not armed but had masks covering their faces when they entered the business premises.
The suspects are still on the loose and police are appealing to residents to assist in tracing them.
Anyone with information on this incident may call Detective Sergeant Morena Machalotsa of Provincial Organised Crime Investigations Unit on 073 729 1732 or police emergency number 08600 10111.