[WATCH] Crowd turns on police outside court where Precious Magagane’s murder suspects appear
Two people have been arrested on charges of public violence and assault with grievous bodily harm following a scuffle between residents from Mahlakwane village and the police on Monday, 29 July.
31 July
LIMPOPO – The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba says acts of vigilantism will not be tolerated following a scuffle between residents from Mahlakwane village and the police on Monday, 29 July.
In a statement, Ledwaba explained that the scuffle was simply a ‘bunch of hooligans’ who wanted to disrupt the proper administration of justice by attempting to forcibly remove the accused from the courtroom. Read more: Police Commissioner condemns violence against police officers
30 July
LIMPOPO – The scuffle happened outside the Burgersfort Regional Court where two Pakistani nationals were appearing for the murder of 36-year-old, Precious Mohlale Magagane.
A video which has been circulating on social media, shows an angry group of residents pushing and pulling on police officers.
OUTRAGED COMMUNITIES TURN ON SAPS : BURGERSFORT MAGISTRATES COURT. LP. 2 PAKISTANI NATIONALS APPEARED IN COURT AFTER BEING ARRESTED & CHARGED FOR THE ALLEGED MURDER OF A FEMALE IN DECEMBER. HE BODY WAS CHOPPED UP. pic.twitter.com/d03huG79gS
— REZA (@crimeairnetwork) July 30, 2019
In a statement, Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe says it is police officers were at the court, monitoring the situation when residents ‘started to swear at them and attacked them.
He added that minimum force was used to disperse the crowd and that two people, aged 27 and 37, were arrested and will appear before the Praktiseer Magistrate’s Court, soon.
Read more: Woman’s dismembered remains found along the Burgersfort road, Pakistani nationals arrested
The two Pakistani men were arrested in February for the kidnapping and murder of Magagane after her dismembered body was found on the Burgersfort/Lydenburg road.
The duo has since appeared before the Praktiseer Magistrate’s Court on charges of kidnapping, murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and possession of suspected stolen property.
During their court appearance on Monday, their case was postponed to 9 September for formal bail application.
