Mondlo community accuses man of rape, torches family home
The crowd was too livid and were throwing stones at anyone that was in the yard
SIXTEEN members of the Ntababomvu community were arrested on Monday after they allegedly torched the home of a
man they believed was a rapist in the area.
According to a member of the family, whose home was mercilessly torched, the family begged the angry mob to sit downand discuss the matter with them in a civil manner but the crowd was too livid and were throwing stones at anyone that was in the yard.
The mob is said to have demanded that the family remove all furniture from the houses and then proceeded to set the empty
buildings alight.
Fearing for their lives and those of the children that were in the homestead at the time (8 months, 5 years and 8 years old),the family contacted the Mondlo SAPS requesting help.
Upon arrival, the police were able to calm things down and 16 people were arrested.
“We really just hope that justice will be served,” said a family member. The area’s councillor said that the issue seems to have
sparked following a little girl almost being raped last week.
ALSO READ: 10-year old Mondlo boy alleged rape victim
“I went out to the community on Tuesday last week to assist in taking the child to the police station. The police said that there was not much they could do as there was not enough evidence and I believe that is when community members set out to take matters into their own hands,” said Cllr Fukang Molefe.
ALSO READ: Rape accused says 6-year old was his girlfriend
Cllr Molefe said that he understood the frustrations from both the community, as well as the suspected man’s family, but said that it had been incorrect for community members to take matters into their own hands.
“They should have reported the matter to the police and let the law take its course,” said Cllr Molefe.
The 16 were charged with arson.
Councillor Molefe held a meeting within the community yesterday and both the members of the public as well as the family whose home was torched were brought together to discuss a way forward.
(Image sourced from Pixabay)
