FOLLOW-UP: Family of Daveyton man torched in mob justice attack say he was innocent and ‘harmless’
They identified him by a scar he had on his head and by his clothing and house keys.
The family of Rethabile Choshane (27), the man set alight by a mob in the Qalabusha informal settlement, in Daveyton, on Monday (May 13) at about 5am, have described him as a respectful, humble and harmless man who was self-employed.
He was burnt beyond recognition by residents near the train station after being accused of robbing a woman of her handbag.
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Daveyton SAPS corporate communications officer Sgt Constance Moalusi said police arrived to find tyres burning on top of the man.
His family said Rethabile loved animals. He had chickens and dogs in his yard, which he adored. He worked as a security guard at a local bottle store and was often accompanied by his dogs.
Rethabile was last seen by his dad and neighbours late on Sunday.
According to his neighbour, Rethabile had mentioned that he wanted to go collect sorghum for his chickens at the nearest farm.
His family realised he was missing on Monday. They became worried because it wasn’t like him to just disappear.
His friends and family looked for him, but he was nowhere to be found.
Later that day, an unknown man told Rethabile’s father that there was a man who was burnt near the train station. The man described the victim and it matched Rethabile’s description.
The family rushed to Daveyton SAPS, asking to see the victim since their son was missing.
“We were allowed to go view the body on Tuesday at the Springs mortuary,” said an aunt who did not want to be named.
According to her, they recognised Rethabile by a scar he had on his head and by his clothing and house keys.
“They killed my innocent child, who was harmless,” said the aunt.
According to the family, they went to the place where Rethabile was torched to collect his belongings and were met with hostility from some of the community members.
“We asked them what had happened, but the community was rude and aggressive towards us, referring to my brother as a ‘stealing dog who deserved to be killed’.
“They threatened to beat us since we irritated them with questions we asked them,” said Rethabile’s younger sister.
“Community members said he was killed because he robbed a woman of her handbag,” she added.
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The deceased’s aunt told the City Times they want justice to prevail.
Sgt Constance Moalusi, Daveyton SAPS corporate communications officer, confirmed no arrests have been made and the case is under investigation.
