‘Mob justice awaits K9 gang members’

FRUSTRATED Giyani residents went on a witch-hunt last Friday evening in search of members of the K9 gang, a gang that is allegedly responsible for a series of house robberies in the area, during which women and children were raped in front of their families.

Travelling in a convoy of private cars with bakkies loaded with people armed with pangas, knives, and sjamboks, they went door-to-door and from tavern to tavern in search of the gang.

Giyani Community Policing Forum chairperson, David Magagani witnessed the angry group roaming around Section F in search of the gang members. “These guys were a mob; everyone could see as they drove around hooting their cars that they meant business,” he said.

“Those who were found drinking at the Baloyi complex were beaten to a pulp and had to be picked up by ambulances,” he went on, saying other members of the gang escaped the mob, including the man believed to be the gang leader.

“However, the mob later went to burn the gang leader’s grandmother’s house when they couldn’t find him. They shouted that she had to feel what they felt when her grandson terrorised them before they set her house alight, burning everything in it,” he said.

According to one of her neighbours, she is now staying with relatives in Dzingidzingi village. “She was nobody, but a pensioner who depended entirely on her pension grant… there’s no way she can afford to replace what she has lost in that fire,” said one of the neighbours who did not want to be identified for fear of being victimised.

However, despite these violent and vicious events, the Giyani police said most of what occurred was not reported to them.

“So far we have two cases that were opened; one for assault and another of arson. It is not clear what happened. We only know that there were two groups that were fighting one another. However, we’re still investigating the case and should anyone have information in this regard, they should contact their nearest police station,” WO Thomas Makhubele said, speaking on behalf of the Giyani police.

Prior to the events of last Friday evening, the K9 gang had been the main topic under discussion by many Giyani Facebook users.

“They have been terrorising us for a long time, now it’s time to deal with the b*****ds our own way since the police cannot arrest them,” commented one of their recent victims who said he was still reeling from the emotional shock of his wife having being raped by the gang inside their own home. “I would join the angry mob if I knew who they were,” he said.