LIMPOPO – The case against twelve people arrested for the murder of two brothers from Letebejane village has been postponed to 13 February, for formal bail application.
Four men and four women were arrested on Tuesday, 28 February and further investigation led to the arrest of four more, said Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo.
All suspects appeared before the Motetema Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 30 January. The each face two counts of murder, kidnapping, malicious damage to property and tempering with essential infrastructure.
Police still appeal to anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects, to contact Det WO Malose Mothokoa at 060 996 0066, the 24-hour Crime Stop number at 086 001 0111 or the nearest police station.
29 January 09:13
LIMPOPO – The police at Rakgoadi have arrested eight people in connection with the stoning of two brothers outside Groblersdal on Monday, 27 January.
Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo says their death follows almost two weeks of unrest in Letebejane village where local residents accused the brothers of being involved in the disappearance of Peter ‘Mapito’ Phathlamohlaka. Phahlamohlaka allegedly went missing in June last year while fishing in the Olifants River (Lepelle) with the two deceased brothers, Lukas (46) and Willem Seloma (47).
Following his disappearance, the police were notified and the the Search and Rescue Team conducted a search in the area. A missing person file was then opened and investigations continued.
The first incident of unrest happened on 13 January when the residents attacked the deceased at their homes. During the incident, Public Order Police Unit ( POPs ) was deployed to calm the situation and a case of assault GBH was opened, but no arrests were made.
On Thursday, 23 January the community again gathered and went on a rampage and barricaded streets and removed learners from schools, in demand that the two brothers inform them about the whereabouts of Phahlamohlaka. This situation continued until Monday evening when the community dragged the brothers to a nearby mountain and stoned them to death.
The police were notified and a police helicopter was called in. On arrival, the police found two bodies covered in tree branches.
Investigation led to the arrest of four men and four women on Tuesday at around 04:00. These suspects, aged between 19 and 44, are expected to appear in the Motetema Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 30 January on two counts of murder and public violence.
The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba has condemned this mob justice incident and warned the people responsible that the police will be relentless in pursuit of any remaining suspects.
“The police will continue to deal mercilessly with each and every person who resorts to taking the law into their own hands,” he concluded.
Police appeal to anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects, to contact Det WO Malose Mothokoa at 060 996 0066, the 24-hour Crime Stop number at 086 001 0111 or the nearest police station.
