Limpopo woman killed by mob after intervening in lovers spat
The woman's daughter and eight other men have been arrested.
LIMPOPO – Eight men, aged between 23 and 78, and a 23-year-old woman are set to make their first appearances in the Gilead Periodical Court today (January 24).
The nine murder accused were arrested for their involvement in a gender-based violence and mob justice incident at the Rebone RDP Section near Steilloop in the Gilead policing area on Saturday (January 22).
Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said police were alerted that a mob gathered outside a house in the area. “On their arrival they found a middle aged woman lying in the yard, severely assaulted. Police were directed to a male victim who was lying unconscious on the floor in the house. Medical personnel certified the victims dead on the scene and they have been identified as John Mojela (28) and Grace Mongatane (52),” he explained in a statement.
Mojapelo said two counts of murder were investigated and preliminary investigations revealed Mojela, who resided in Tauatswala village, visited his girlfriend on the day.
“The couple reportedly got into an altercation and the mother (Mongatane) intervened. It is believed the mother and the girlfriend attacked the boyfriend and strangled him. Subsequent to the murder, an angry mob gathered at their house and attacked the mother and daughter and burnt the house,” he added.
Mojapelo said the daughter, believed to be Mojela’s girlfriend, escaped with her siblings. “The mother was dragged to the back of the house where she was assaulted with stones and various objects. The suspects fled the scene,” he added.
A team comprising of various police units within the Waterberg district were assembled and eight men were arrested on the same day.
“The men were arrested for the revenge murder of Mongatane and her daughter was arrested for the murder of Mojela. The eight men will face charges of murder and arson, while the daughter has been charged with the murder of her boyfriend,” he explained.
The arrests have been welcomed by provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe. “Police will continue to deal decisively with residents who resort to acts of vigilantism and take the law into their own hands,” she added.
Mojapelo said more arrests are expected and he urged anyone with information that can assist the police, to contact Sergeant Mammila Selolo on 072 444 0282, the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or their nearest police station.
