Tag Archives: Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock

18 people accused of mob justice killing are back in court

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Picture: Community members at Kgomotso Police Station  

By OBAKENG MAJE

Eighteen alleged vigilantes who were arrested by the police in Upper Majeakgoro village, near Pampierstad on 16 October 2023, will be back in court. They were arrested for allegedly beating a man (26), whom they accused of stock theft to death.

According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock, the police arrested 18 suspects (14 men and 4 women) who were allegedly involved in the mob justice.

Kock said a group of community members allegedly went to the house of a person suspected to be involved in stock theft, beat his family members, and forcefully took him and his friend (20) to Upper Majaekgoro village.

“The community allegedly tied the two up and beat them with a pick handle and chains. The friends of the victims allegedly drove into the crowd of community members with a Toyota Bakkie and one person was also hospitalised, while other community members were left injured.

“Two men who were allegedly abducted and assaulted by the community members were both hospitalised. However, one of the victims (26), later succumbed to his injuries,” he said.

Kock further said 18 persons who were allegedly involved in the mob justice are facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and assault GBH. He added that, the police confirmed that, five of them (4 men and 1 woman) are part of the Community in Blue Patrollers in Pampierstad.

“A driver (50) of a bakkie was also arrested and charged with attempted murder,” said Kock.

The recent reports suggest that, one person who was hospitalised, Thato Maleke allegedly passed away on 21 October 2023, while only two accused out of 18 were granted bail by Kgomotso Magistrate’s Court. The case will resume today for formal bail applications.  

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant Gen Koliswa Otola, condemned the attack and warned that mob justice is a violation of the law. Otola warned that, the community members who are implicated in this act will be arrested and face the full might of the law.

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One suspect arrested and three still at large over suspected stolen goods

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Picture: Some of the alleged stolen goods/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

A man has been arrested for being in possession of suspected stolen goods in Mapoteng village, near Kuruman on 13 October 2023. According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock, at approximately 9am, the vigilant police members from Deben SAPS, Kuruman LCRC, and Kathu SAPS Crime Prevention unit, attended to a house-breaking complaint when they spotted a suspicious-looking vehicle.

“They spotted the Hyundai truck on the R380 road and followed it to Mapoteng village. The members of the Kumba Security Company also assisted. The vehicle was stopped and searched and some of the stolen goods were retrieved from the driver (25).

“A suspect was arrested and the police managed to recover all the stolen goods. Further investigation led the police to a house in Deben, where they found more of the alleged stolen goods including four fridges, a flat-screen TV, grinders, a compressor, 3 speakers, a drill machine, a solar panel, and spanners,” he said.

Kock further said the alleged stolen property was handed over to the owner after he positively identified them. He added that three suspects are still at large.

“The truck was confiscated and a manhunt has been launched for three other suspects,” said Kock.

Meanwhile, the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Police Commissioner, Maj Gen Johnny Besnaar, commended the police for their quick response and thanked Kumba Security Company for their consistent assistance in clamping down on property-related crime in the district and surrounding farming areas.

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