“He is one of three suspects who allegedly caused havoc in, among others in Tzaneen by stealing bank cards, forcing the owners to give them their pin numbers and then withdrawing money,” Col Moatshe Ngoepe told Letaba Herald.
This incident happened on Tuesday 2 September around 09:00.
“The robbers managed to steal a card from a woman who was withdrawing money at an ATM in the Bungeni Bar in the Elim area,” Ngoepe said.
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Ngoepe said that when she arrived at the Vivo garage, she identified the three suspects. They tried to flee in their car but other motorists managed to block the road.
According to an eyewitness it was then that a group of men held down one of the suspects, pulled down his pants and cut off his penis.
This allegation was also confirmed to Letaba Herald by various residents of Nkowankowa.
“They were cornered, caught and mob attacked. The police were notified, rescued them and took them to the hospital for medical treatment.”
Ngoepe said the suspects were all well-known residents of the Ritavi settlement near Tzaneen.
According to a report by The Citizen, the man who lost his genitals was transferred to the nearby Elim Hospital.
Ngoepe confirmed the man was in a critical condition.
“The injured suspects who are all from the Ritavi Policing area outside Tzaneen will be processed accordingly after they are discharged from hospital,” Ngoepe concluded.
