Picture: Toyota Corolla that was torched
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Nobula family in Lokgabeng village in Taung lives in fear after a group of people ‘masquerading’ as community members burnt the house of one of its family members. It is alleged that a group of people armed with knobkerries, sticks, and firearms stormed into the house of Moshe Nobula (44) and kidnapped his son (19).
North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh confirmed that police are investigating cases related to mob justice. Myburgh said it is distressful to see community members taking the law into their own hands instead of reporting suspects/criminal activity to the police.
“Three cases were reported following the mayhem. On Monday last week, at about 9am, a 19-year-old victim was allegedly at home when a mob arrived looking for his father. The boy was allegedly taken on behalf of his father, who was not home at that time.
“This people dragged him into a vehicle and took him to a house where he was beaten several times with a wooden stick and sustained injuries on his back. A 44-year-old suspect, who is the father to the kidnapped victim allegedly drove with his vehicle into a mob of people, injuring three of them on Lokgabeng Public Road at about 11:10 on Monday,” said Myburgh.
She added that the fourth victim, Oupanyana Sebokolodi (57) passed away in hospital later the same day due to injuries sustained from the vehicle crash. Myburgh said Nobula was arrested for murder the following day.
“The police also opened an arson case after Nobula’s wife was on her way to the hospital on Monday when her husband allegedly informed her that people are on their way to burn their house.
“She immediately went back home at Lokgabeng village, where she found their three-room house on fire. A Toyota Corolla vehicle was also burnt beyond repair in the fire. All three cases mentioned above are still under investigation.
“The police would like to urge the community to refrain from getting involved in mob/jungle justice. Information on criminal activities should be reported to your local police station. If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MYSAPS App,” said Myburgh.
One of our sources said: “Even though I was not aware of why people were looking for Nobula, I heard rumours that they accused him of livestock theft. However, we cannot be a lawless society and take the law into our own hands.
“It was unfortunate that when Moshe arrived at the scene he was attacked. He only wanted to rescue his son from the mob and unfortunately, he ran over some people. He was also shot at the following day by the same people, but police have not arrested anyone,” our source said. Meanwhile, today the police in Taung has arrested those individuals who allegedly torched the house and a vehicle belonging to Nobula who is charged with murder.
The Guardian 