‘Release him on bail’
The community of Phumulo section in KwaThema protested outside the KwaThema Court on Monday November 24.
They waited outside the magistrate’s court, singing and shouting for the release of a suspect on free bail.
According to the community leader, Mandla Motha, the community was demanding the release of one of the community safety forum’s (CSF) member who was arrested on Friday November 21, following the assault of a man, who the community claims to be the criminal who is out of jail on parole.
Motha said the alleged criminal attempted to rape a 40-year-old woman from Phumulo.
He continued to say that, after the woman reported the matter to the community patrollers, the alleged rapist was apprehended by the community and was assaulted before the police arrived on the scene.
The man was taken to Pholosong Hospital for treatment as he sustained injuries.
Motha said the community lives in fear for their children and wives as they do not know who might be the alleged rapist’s next victim.
He explained that the community does not undermine the work of the police, however, they feel that the arrest of the CSF member was not supporting the fight against crime by the community members.
KwaThema police spokesman Captain Mandla Phori confirmed that the police opened a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm against the suspect and that the attempted rape victim also opened a case of assault against the alleged criminal.
He also confirmed that the CSF arrested member was released on free bail and that a date for his next court appearance will soon be announced.
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