LIMPOPO – Spokesperson for the Waterval Police, Const Cyntia Ndou said community members had complained of house break-ins in the area and stated their property had been stolen.
“Community members suspected a 43-year-old woman named Grace Ndou, granddaughter of the gogo whose house was torched, of the burglaries. They investigated the matter and found the stolen goods, including beds, sofas, refrigerators, stoves, chairs and electric appliances, in the grandmother’s house,” Ndou explains. The police quickly responded and arrested Ndou and charged her with possession of stolen goods.
“During the night, fuming community members went to the grandmother’s seven-roomed house and set it alight, along with two huts on the property. The house is valued at R250 000. All the goods, including school uniforms, were reduced to ashes. The gogo and her family fled the scene and sought refuge at the Waterval Police Station. They later retired to the home of a family member. The date of Ndou’s court appearance is still pending as the person who sold her the goods is still at large,” Ndou continues.
“The goods found in her grandmother’s house were confiscated. She was charged for being found in the possession of stolen goods and appeared in the Waterval Magistrate’s Court last Thursday where she was granted bail of R500,” Ndou says.
“The suspect told the police she bought the goods from a young man who is a resident of Mpheni. It is believed the man found out he was named in the investigation and fled,” she said.
“Members of the community should stop buying stolen goods and also refrain from taking the law into their hands. They must work hand in hand with the police. Concerning the burning of the gogo’s house, a case of public violence has been opened and investigations are underway. No arrests have been made in this regard,” Ndou said.
