Mob justice escalates in Thaba Nchu

January 27, 2012 | Filed underPopular News,Previous news | Posted by editor
Judge and executioner … Scenes like these are playing themselves out more often in Thaba Nchu.
Police statistics indicate that about five percent of all murders that take place in the country each year are connected to mob justice.
This startling trend of the community taking justice into their own hands has also reared its ugly head in the quiet rural town of Thaba Nchu.
On New Year’s Eve, a man was burnt to death in Gladstone Trust after he was accused of stealing livestock.
According to the police, members of the community allegedly assaulted him before placing a tyre around his neck and setting it alight. One suspect has been arrested for murder and another three taken in for questioning.
About a week after the incident members of the community, who were enraged by the murder of a teenager at a local tavern, burned down the houses of the suspected killers and that of the tavern owner.
Kabelo Mokgosi was butchered in what seemed to be a ritualistic killing. His body was discovered on New Year’s Day in Mokwena Location. The suspects Moilwa Seitshero, Ndoisile van Wyk, and their alleged 17-year-old accomplice have since appeared in the Thaba Nchu District Court. Seitshero was acquitted due to lack of evidence and the other two were remanded in custody until their next appearance on February 8 amid vociferous protests from the community.
Seitshero has reportedly run away from home as the community is said to be baying for his blood.
Last July, the home of a man, believed to have murdered a resident, was also razed to the ground. Five suspects were arrested.
A renowned independent researcher and former head of the Crime Justice Programme at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, David Bruce, believes that frustration with the criminal justice system, lack of police visibility, and lack of trust between police and communities could be some of the main drivers behind these incidents.
He said there was a sense that people were not getting what they deserved from the police.
Bruce added that communities also needed to understand that “a person not convicted is still a suspect” and as such there was a need for public education and interaction between the public and the police.
A local pastor, who wishes to remain anonymous, spoke to The Weekly about the events.
“Really, if someone is accused by angry community members of committing a crime, is there a leader in that mob who leads evidence for and against the accused? Are there mechanisms to ascertain guilt or innocence or is it just a race to throw the first stone? What about forgiveness and rehabilitation or even the possibility of the offender been given an opportunity to restore and pay.
“Even the so-called biblical concept of an eye for an eye had to have a priest to evaluate the case and he called witnesses before deciding the merits of the case.”
However, community members who spoke to  The Weekly were adamant that justice had to be meted out by them.
“It can’t be always right that our hard fought democracy should protect criminals holding us to ransom,” a highly regarded professional in the area reacted.
Meiki Mokgosi, the grieving mother of the brutally murdered Kabelo, believed that it was justified to have the houses and tavern burnt down because of what the suspected culprits did to her child.Meanwhile, Seloshesha Cluster Commander Brigadier Motseki Seale cautioned the public about taking the law into their own hands.
“We are not going to tolerate any form of crime in our community. I urge the community to refrain from doing the acts of mob justice.”
  •  
  •  
  •