Eight arrested for murder of three alleged stock thieves
Mojapelo said the concerted efforts by members of the SAPS to deal with incidents of vigilantism, resulted in the apprehension of the suspects who were sought for the alleged brutal killing of the men
SEKHUKHUNE – The Limpopo police have arrested the suspects involved in the brutal murder of three men in Ga-Maila a Mapitsana last Monday.
Jikisa Phokane (50), Kwena Makwana (70) and Sedibana Makwana (60) were allegedly killed by a mob after they had been accused of stock theft.
Eight suspects are behind bars for their involvement in the crimes.
“Some community members of this village allegedly kidnapped four men just after midnight on Monday and accused them of stealing their livestock. They killed three of them using various hard objects. The fourth victim managed to escape from the mob unhurt,” said the Limpopo SAPS spokesperson,Brig Motlafelo Mojapelo.
Mojapelo said the concerted efforts by members of the SAPS to deal with incidents of vigilantism, resulted in the apprehension of the suspects who were sought for the alleged brutal killing of the men.
“The suspects aged between 18 and 64 are Victor Mashilo, Melida Mashilo, Joseph Mamakwa, Pakishi Kgathedi, Wilson Kgathedi, Tshireletso Phokane, Julius Phokane and Klaas Maimela. The seven men and a woman appeared in the Sekhukhune Magistrate’s Court on January 31 facing charges of four counts of kidnapping and three counts of murder. They were all remanded in custody and their cases were postponed to February 4 for bail application.”
The police provincial commissioner, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe, has issued a stern warning to community members who take the law into their own hands, that the police will hunt them down and bring them to book. The hunt for the remaining suspects and police investigations are still continuing.
