Colonel Lesego Metsi said Thabo Khongoana was shot from close range with an AK-47 rifle.
“He was shot dead from behind through the chest. What could have led to this killing is not yet known. It is suspected that they realised he had a camera and so he was shot.”
Khongoana was editor and publisher of the Mafikeng-based TaxiTimes.
Metsi said about nine heavily-armed men entered the hotel after holding security staff at gunpoint and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash.
A Toyota double-cab bakkie used in the robbery was found abandoned about 3km from the hotel.
“It has false registration numbers and we suspect it might have been stolen.”