By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
6 January 2025- Five suspects were arrested for alleged kidnapping and murder of Lesego Klaas Makaku (26) in Hartbeespoortdam. This comes after Makaku was accused of stealing a cellular phone at a tavern in Sangiro Informal Settlement, outside Hartbeespoortdam.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane said it is alleged that, on 31 December 2024, the deceased was visiting his girlfriend when they both went to a nearby tavern for some drinks. Tselanyane said while there, Makaku was accused of stealing a cellular phone.
“Furthermore, it is alleged that he was forcefully dragged outside the tavern to the street, where he was severely beaten by a group of people. Information received was that Makaku was also dragged to the nearby dam and thrown inside.
“Only his t-shirt was found near the dam and allegedly taken by his girlfriend, who informed the deceased mother. As a result, the mother reported the incident to the police and a missing person’s report was registered,” he said.
Tselanyane further said the police then conducted preliminary investigations to search for the missing person and police divers searched the area at the dam and the body could not be found. He added the enquiries were also conducted around the area about the last people seen with the missing person.
“Subsequently, on 2 January 2025, two people of interest were taken in for questioning. During the interrogation, one of the suspects took the team of investigators to bushes near Sangiro Informal Settlement, wherein the half-naked body of the victim was found in the early stages of decomposition.
“Following the discovery of the body, police went to the shacks of three more suspects. They were also apprehended, but one suspect is still at large. All suspects aged between 19 and 40, are expected to appear before the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 6 January 2025, on charges of kidnapping and murder. Investigation into the matter continues.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng condemned the barbaric act and urged owners of taverns and licensed liquor premises, as well as their patrons, to help the police prevent crime and criminality in these public places, which are meant to promote responsible drinking in a safe, secure environment by the government. Asaneng said it is totally unacceptable and intolerable that these places are instead turning into crime hotspots and crime generators where disregard for the rule of law is the norm.
“Many incidents of murder, robberies, assaults, rapes, drunken driving are committed by patrons of some of these unfortunately licensed outlets and worryingly some are committed in full view and in the presence of owners of these establishments and in full view of other patrons, who not only fail to prevent, stop or report these serious crimes to the police.
“Community Policing Forums (CPFs), religious and community leaders are called to rise up and put a stop to this blatant, endemic criminality in the communities,” he said.
The Guardian 