A 40-year-old Warrant Officer Koketso Mareka appeared before the Zeerust Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 24 May 2024, for kidnapping, assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), attempted murder and kidnapping. She was granted R2000.00 bail and her second court appearance before the same court will be on Thursday, 27 June 2024.
The accused’s court appearance stems from an incident reported on Saturday evening, 28 April 2024 in Ikageleng Location, Zeerust where a 24-year-old victim was allegedly assaulted by community members. Public Order Police (POP) members were called to rescue the victim who was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment.
In another incident in the early hours of Sunday morning, 29 April 2024, a 25-year-old Ikageleng man was woken up by an angry mob that accused him of raping elders. He was eventually assaulted, sprayed with pepper spray, stoned and stabbed with a knife. The victim was taken to a local hospital due to serious injuries he sustained.
Police investigations led to the arrest of Mareka after being identified as one of the alleged perpetrators. More arrests are imminent.
The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena cautioned that taking the law into one’s hands is unlawful, unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.
