by Lindiwe Mabena | Oct 21, 2020
The Gandlanani Village mob justice case in Giyani, Limpopo, has been postponed to next week Tuesday.
Police Spokesperson Brigadier Motlalefa Mojapelo says police initially arrested 23 locals for vigilantism and mob justice on Sunday.
While Mojapelo yesterday told Local Voices that 21 suspects were due in court, he says only 20 appeared.
“Three were released after failure to link them to the crime,” he says.
The suspects, who appeared in the Giyani Magistrate Court, have been remanded in custody.
They face charges of murder, public violence, arson and malicious damage to property.
The accused allegedly assaulted and burnt a businessman blamed for the disappearance of 25-year-old Mahlori Maluleka.
The community had apparently consulted with a local sangoma, who blamed the deceased and two of his employees for the teenager’s disappearance.
According to Giyani News, the police took the traditional healer in for questioning yesterday and was later released.
Police have condemned the community’s actions.
by Lindiwe Mabena | Oct 20, 2020
Twenty one community members of the Gandlanani Village, outside Giyani, in Limpopo will be appearing before the local magistrate’s court today.
The 20 men and one woman are part of a group of residents who are said to have assaulted and burnt a local businessman yesterday.
They are facing charges of murder, public violence, arson and malicious damage to property.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Mojapelo has told Local Voices that the accused were initially charged with attempted murder, but that has now been changed since the passing away of the deceased.
The suspects also allegedly torched four vehicles, a business office and a house belonging to the owner’s parents.
The angry crowd accused the businessman, who succumbed to his injuries in hospital overnight, of involvement in the disappearance of a local young man.
The community had apparently consulted with a local sangoma, who blamed the deceased and two of his employees for the teenager’s disappearance.
Brigadier Mojapelo says charges are also being formulated against the traditional healer.
