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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.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

BY OBAKENG MAJE
A 29 year-old man from Lokgabeng village, in Taung said he was sitting at a local tavern last week Saturday(28 March 2015 at around 16:00 drinking a nice beer with friends without realising what’s coming his way.

Ditebogo Nobula was allegedly attacked and assaulted by his own ward councillor who accused him of stealing his sheep.

“I was sitting at Letlamoreng tavern drinking beer with friends and was approached by ward councillor Moemedi Baijane and his friends. The grabbed me and forcefully dragged me to his bakkie” Nobula said.

He said he was allegedly beaten and attacked before he could even ask what’s going on.

“I was surrounded by four men in the bakkie and they beaten me with bare hands and fists. The councillor Moemedi Baijane said I stole his sheep and he want to teach me a valuable listen” he outlines.

According to Nobula, the councillor and his friends drove away to Taung Dam where they alleged to throw him in.

“We arrived at Taung Dam and I was beaten, kicked and attacked by knobkirrie and bricks. Baijane said I must give him the sheep I stole from him, but they continue beating me even though told them I know nothing about the alleged sheep” Nobula said.

He said he agreed to the crime even though he knows nothing so that they could spare him his life.

“I agreed to show them the sheep where just to be safe from trials and tribulations they put me through. We drove back to my house, but the four men swore at my father who tried to intervene. We arrived at my house bleeding and fortunately my dad called the police who came to my rescue” he said.

North West police spokeswoman colonel Emelda Setlhako confirmed that an assault case against councillor Moemedi Baijane and his three co-accused was opened.

“The assault case laid by the victim was opened at Taung Police Station after he was allegedly attacked by four men and they were released on warning and will be back at Taung Magistrates Court on 20 April 2015” colonel Emelda Setlhako said.

According to Setlhako, the suspects were not arrested because they alleged the victim threw himself off the moving bakkie that is why he suffered injuries.

Ditebogo Nobula said the suspects were not arrested even though he laid a charge  against them.

Ward councillor Moemedi Baijane said both cases are under investigations and is very adamant that he has a very strong case against Ditebogo Nobula whom he accuse of stealing his sheep.

“I cannot say much regarding both cases because they’re all under investigations. I know for sure that he stole my sheep and I will prove that in court” Baijane said.

However councillor couldn’t answer why he did not lay a criminal charge against the accused rather than taking the matter into his own hands.