The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the arrest of Khotso Mabokoane (25), Tonki Hlomelang (39) and Maropeng Malatjie (41), for kidnapping and murder. The accused were arrested on Monday, 18 October 2021, following an apparent mob justice incident in which a 33-year-old man was allegedly kidnapped and severely assaulted.

According to information at our disposal, the 33-year-old man was home and sleeping at about 02:00 with his son when a group of people forcefully opened a door entered the house.

The mob that accused the victim for theft of electric cables, allegedly took him with them. Allegations further state that the victim was taken to a certain house where he was tied to a tree and assaulted with sjamboks and sticks.

One of the accused, called the victim’s son to come and fetch him. Thus, the seriously injured victim was taken home. The police and paramedics were ultimately called, but the victim was certified dead at the scene. Investigation led to the arrest of the trio on Monday, 18 October 2021, at Letlhakaneng village, near Brits. The accused appeared before the Brits Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 19 October 2021 for kidnapping and murder. They are expected to reappear in court on Monday, 25 October 2021, for formal bail application.

Lieutenant General Kwena condemned the incident and encouraged members of the community to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and to work together with the police.

Source: South African Police Service