Six suspects from Maphoitsile village, near Taung briefly appeared at Taung Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. Itumeleng Kgong, Danisho Sokupha, Sylvester Cholobana, Charley Mokae, Bolokang Tlhomelang and Phenyo Mokoloi were arrested in connection of murder on Tuesday.

North West police spokesperson, Lt Col Adele Myburgh said the suspects between the ages of 22 and 54 were arrested in connection of Thabang Mathe’s murder. Mathe and his friend, Thapelo De Bryn were allegedly caught to be in possession of suspected stolen sheep last month.

The suspects were remanded in custody until Thursday for formal bail application.

Taung Anti-Crime organisation chairperson, Peggy Molathegi said: “The people have lost hope in the justice system and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), hence they take the law into their own hands. Stock-theft cases are very discouraging because they are not treated equivalent like robbery and murder.

“Those who steal from our people need to get harsher sentences because they trifling with livelihoods of many. Taung is predominantly rural and there is high rate of unemployment, inequality and poverty. There is no single stock-theft case that has successful conviction thus far.”

However, Molatlhegi said taking the law into your own hands is a criminal offence and urged people to refrain from that.

Source: Newsnote