The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, condemned an incident of alleged mob justice which was reported at Itireleng Section, Hebron, outside Brits. On Thursday, 18 March 2021, community members allegedly saw two men, aged 24 and 37, that they accused of terrorising the community.
It is alleged that the members of the community were accusing the two men of committing house robbery, house breaking and attempted rape.
Allegations state that one of the suspects was identified by a 22-year-old victim, who had opened a case at Hebron Police Station. Initial information stated that the two suspects allegedly forcefully entered the house of the victim armed with a hammer and a big knife.
Furthermore they demanded money and assaulted her boyfriend. It is alleged that they fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash, household items and groceries. Moreover it is alleged that the suspects took the woman with them when they left.
The 37-year-old suspect then attempted to rape the woman in nearby bushes. According to information received he was interrupted, when voices of people who were passing by were heard. The victim ran back home and community members searched and apprehended the suspects. Stolen property were found in their possession.
The members of the community badly assaulted and injured the two men.
Police intervened and the suspects were taken to hospital with serious injuries. They are still admitted under police guard and are expected to appear in Ga-Rankua Magistrate’s’ Court as soon as they are discharged from the hospital.
Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, encouraged members of the community to stop taking the law into their own hands and work together with police in fighting crime in the province.
