BY OBAKENG MAJE
A 29 year-old man from Lokgabeng village, in Taung said he was sitting at a local tavern last week Saturday(28 March 2015 at around 16:00 drinking a nice beer with friends without realising what’s coming his way.

Ditebogo Nobula was allegedly attacked and assaulted by his own ward councillor who accused him of stealing his sheep.

“I was sitting at Letlamoreng tavern drinking beer with friends and was approached by ward councillor Moemedi Baijane and his friends. The grabbed me and forcefully dragged me to his bakkie” Nobula said.

He said he was allegedly beaten and attacked before he could even ask what’s going on.

“I was surrounded by four men in the bakkie and they beaten me with bare hands and fists. The councillor Moemedi Baijane said I stole his sheep and he want to teach me a valuable listen” he outlines.

According to Nobula, the councillor and his friends drove away to Taung Dam where they alleged to throw him in.

“We arrived at Taung Dam and I was beaten, kicked and attacked by knobkirrie and bricks. Baijane said I must give him the sheep I stole from him, but they continue beating me even though told them I know nothing about the alleged sheep” Nobula said.

He said he agreed to the crime even though he knows nothing so that they could spare him his life.

“I agreed to show them the sheep where just to be safe from trials and tribulations they put me through. We drove back to my house, but the four men swore at my father who tried to intervene. We arrived at my house bleeding and fortunately my dad called the police who came to my rescue” he said.

North West police spokeswoman colonel Emelda Setlhako confirmed that an assault case against councillor Moemedi Baijane and his three co-accused was opened.

“The assault case laid by the victim was opened at Taung Police Station after he was allegedly attacked by four men and they were released on warning and will be back at Taung Magistrates Court on 20 April 2015” colonel Emelda Setlhako said.

According to Setlhako, the suspects were not arrested because they alleged the victim threw himself off the moving bakkie that is why he suffered injuries.

Ditebogo Nobula said the suspects were not arrested even though he laid a charge  against them.

Ward councillor Moemedi Baijane said both cases are under investigations and is very adamant that he has a very strong case against Ditebogo Nobula whom he accuse of stealing his sheep.

“I cannot say much regarding both cases because they’re all under investigations. I know for sure that he stole my sheep and I will prove that in court” Baijane said.

However councillor couldn’t answer why he did not lay a criminal charge against the accused rather than taking the matter into his own hands.