LIMPOPO – The arrests come after allegations that the Chief ‘s house, two tribal offices, four houses and two cars were burnt by a group of community members in the Diphale area in Seuwe village in Mecklenburg, two weeks ago.
Police spokesperson Lt Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe says the arson cases were based on allegations relating to the benefits from selling chrome from the local mines with damage to property estimated at over R5 million.
“During the arrests, three of the suspects were found in possession of three unlicensed firearms and ammunition,” said Ngoepe.
At the time, the Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba condemned the attacks and reiterated his call to all members of the community to refrain from taking the law into their own hands by attacking and burning the houses of the people they are in conflict with.
“We are calling on all community members to desist from acts of vigilantism and the so-called mob justice. The Police will act mercilessly against anyone who participates in these violent activities,” Ledwaba said.
He concluded by stating that the police must be given the space to investigate any alleged offence and to deal with any situation until everything is back to normal.
Ngoepe continued by stating that Public Order Police (POP) were deployed to the area to deal with the situation.
“We will continue to monitor the area and more arrests are still expected as investigations continue,” he concluded.
