The suspects aged between 23 and 45 are facing charges of arson and public violence. Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said a group of angry community members went on rampage burning down houses of people they suspected of being involved in the killing of a 24 year old taxi driver from the village Nyiko Nathiel Makhubele who was shot to death a week ago.
“A three roomed house, a four roomed house and a rondavel belonging to different families were burnt with everything inside,” said Ngoepe. He estimated the damage caused to be more than R100 000.
The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has condemned the incidents saying members of the community must stop taking the law into their own hands.
He said that if members of the community have information about any person involved in criminal activities, they must inform the police rather than taking the law into their own hands.
Ngoepe said Public Order Police members have been deployed in the area to monitor the situation.
The suspects were due to appear in the Giyani Magistrate’s Court at the time of going to press.
Anyone with information which may lead to the arrest of more suspect’s in this matter, may contact the nearest police station or the crime stop number 0860010111 or the crime line SMS 32211.
