By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
23 September 2024- Five community members were arrested for vigilantism. This comes after the suspects allegedly took the law into their own hands and killed a man, whom they accused of theft in Leswaneng Section in Mathibestad village.
According to the North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh, the incident was reported in the early hours of Monday morning, 9 September 2024. Myburgh said the police from Makapanstad were called out to a scene and on arrival, they found a gathering of about 20 community members in the street.
“Furthermore, a man was found lying on his back with multiple injuries. The victim who was accused of theft, is not yet identified. Emergency and Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) were called and the victim was certified dead on the scene.
“Two suspects, Neo Preshierly Madihlaba (24) and Lesego Minah Rankapola (39), were arrested on 12 September 2024, while Mapotela Solomon Masilela (58) and Edwin Tsholanang Somo (30), were arrested a day later. The fifth suspect, Lawrence Monako Masilela (51), was arrested on 15 September 2024,” she said.
Myburgh further said the accused were all granted bail after their first court appearances at the Temba Magistrate’s Court. She added that the murder case against the accused was postponed until 6 November 2024.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, cautioned members of the community not to attempt to solve crime by taking the law into their own hands, but to work together with the police to deal decisively with criminality. Kwena commended the police for their quick response, which led to the arrest of alleged perpetrators.
The Guardian 