The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has called upon the community of Bolobedu to remain calm following the violence that erupted soon after Police tracked down and arrested nine suspects at Itieleng village in Bolobedu outside Tzaneen on Tuesday 15 August 2023. The suspects are believed to be part of a gang responsible for a spate of criminal activities around this area.
It is reported that some members of the community of Itieleng village took to the streets in the early hours of Tuesday, following the arrest of the male suspects aged between 25 and 48, who were sought by police for a series of crimes ranging from assault, robbery to malicious damage to property committed within the villages. The suspects were arrested through an intelligence driven joint operation.
The preliminary report indicates that the violence was sparked by allegations that police arrested some of the community members involved in the mob justice incident while they should be tracing members of a gang called “TNS” who are allegedly terrorizing the residents.
It is reported that on Sunday 23 July 2023, the community went on a rampage and torched two family houses belonging to Lucky Mohau Mamorobela from Mamphakhathi village and Lucky Raolane from Madela Park. This after Lucky Mamorobela, facing charges of theft of firearm with ammunition, burglary at business premises, pointing of a firearm and violation of a protection order (domestic violence related) was granted bail. The matter was postponed to 29 September 2023, for further police investigation.
Police are on high alert since the violence erupted and members of the Public Order Police as well as other members of the police are monitoring the situation. Members of the community had earlier barricaded roads with burning tyres and assortment of objects as they demand the release of those suspects. The crowd even went as far as to cause chaos near the local police station but the police swiftly reacted and the situation has since been stabilised.
“We urge the community not to take the law into their own hands. We call for restraint and calm. Allow the Police to do their work and anyone with information on criminal activities should report to the Police for the law to take its course”, said Lieutenant General Hadebe.
The suspects are scheduled to appear before the Bolobedu Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday 16 July 2023. More suspects are expected to be arrested in due course.