19/10/2020
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has strongly condemned the conduct of community members of Gandlanani village in Giyani, who went on the rampage on Sunday and took the law into their own hands and torched properties belonging to a businessman and two of his employees.
This after accusing them of being responsible for the disappearance of a 25-year-old Mahlori Maluleka who was reported missing on Saturday, 08 August 2020.
The community earlier on cornered one of the businessman’s employee (52) and thereafter gathered at the local soccer ground.
They had reportedly consulted a songoma who in turn pointed out the three men as the ones responsible for the disappearance of the victim. Subsequent to that, they assaulted, burnt and dragged him to the house belonging to the businessman’s mother where they torched it together with three vehicles which were parked inside the garage.
“Shortly after that, they moved to the businessman’s residence and pelted his double story house with stones, damaging the electric fence and some property.
“The angry mob continued with the attack and burned the house belonging to the other employee aged 51. On the way to the brick yard owned by this businessman, they came across one of his vehicles and torched it. The driver managed to escape unharmed.
“When the Police arrived, the crowd had already burned the brick yard. The severely injured victim was rescued and taken to hospital with serious injuries.
“The Puplic Order Policing (POPs) with assistance from the Airwing were able to stabilise the situation.
“The police have already arrested twenty three(23) suspects and more are expected to be arrested. They will face charges of Attempted murder, Arson and Malicious damage to property. The search for the remaining suspects continues today”, added Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.
“We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the vigilante actions manifested by the community of Gamdlanani
