By OBAKENG MAJE
The family of Poiho Modise (30) who was kidnapped almost a year ago in Loselong village, near Taung said, they are dejected. According to a family member, Kehilwe Modise, Poiho was abducted by a mob justice that called themselves Mapogo on 20 September 2021 and he never returned home.
“I have a complaint against the mob justice members, who call themselves Mapogo in Loseng. They abducted our brother after accusing him of stock theft. We do not even know whether he is still alive or not wherever he is.
“We went to the Pudimoe Police Station to report the matter, but we have not received any joy. What triggered this is because the same group allegedly kidnapped a boy (19) a few months ago and killed him,” Modise said.
She further said, those who kidnapped her brother, were supposed to hand him over to the police if he committed any criminal activities. Now, Modise urged the police to intensify their search for the kidnapped Poiho and also call on anyone who can help to track him to come forward.
“What is hard-breaking is that those who kidnapped him are roaming the streets freely without any accountability. So, we also feel unsafe as a family because we do not know who will be next.
“We only want to know whether he is still alive or not, so that we can have closure. This has affected us all as family and we could not take it anymore. Anyone who has information regarding our brother’s whereabouts, please come forward,” said Modise.
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Sgt Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “A case of kidnapping was opened on 22 September 2021 after it was reported to the police in Taung that, Poiho Modise had been kidnapped by a group of men at Leshobo village.
“The investigations were conducted and the victim has not been found yet. The case docket was taken to the Taung Magistrate’s Court for a decision on 4 August 2022 and we are still waiting for the outcome.”
Van Rooyen added that, the investigating officer indicated that he has been updating the family member on a regular basis. She said, if the family is still not satisfied, they can go and see the Detective Commander of Taung so that the progress in the case can be explained.
The Guardian 