Locals take the law into their own hands
May this be a lesson to those who do not obey the law, we are getting tired of the crime in our community
BURGERSFORT – Just a week after locals caught and beat a man for allegedly stealing a shirt from one of the shops at Twin City, another was apprehended for stealing ladies underwear on Monday afternoon.
A large group of people gathered at the scene where Thabo Malopane was apprehended by locals a week ago and handed to the police. “He apparently entered one of the shops and grabbed a shirt. Three men saw what he did and chased him down Dirk Winterbach Street. The suspect got tired and the men caught up with him. While they were restraining him, waiting for the police to arrive, they beat him for his alleged crime. We as community members do not accept criminal behaviour. They must stop stealing and get a job,” said Jan Malatji, a member of the community at the scene. Const Victoria Maluleka, spokesman for Burgersfort Police said that Mr Thabo Malopane was arrested and charged with shoplifting. He appeared in court on Tuesday and bail of R500 was granted, Malopane was unable to pay the bail amount and was remanded in custody.
On Monday another man entered Pep Stores, located in the PPS Building. “He was walking around in the store. I was standing at the door and when he tried to exit the store I stopped him and demanded to search his bag. The thug got agitated and started to run, I grabbed him by his trousers before he could escape with the stolen goods” said Maria Maseko, shop assistant.
Maseko called the PPS building’s security officers to guard the suspect until the police arrived. “We found ladies underwear, a back pack and mens trousers on his person. The stolen items are worth R1 250. We do not tolerate thieves around here,” commented Pieter Mashele, security officer at the PPS building. Const Maluleka stated that the suspect had been charged with shoplifting. He is known as Shephard Shai. After admission of guilt he paid his R800 fine and was released with a warning.
“The community is starting to take the law into their own hands. This is the second man to suffer under locals’ punishment. A few weeks ago another one paid with his life when he tried to rob someone at the traffic light. May this be a lesson to those who do not obey the law, we are getting tired of the crime in our community,” said Blikkies van der Merwe, also a local who were on the scene.
