Kidnapped child: Community torches sangoma’s home

Members of the community vented their anger after an abduction case against a sangoma and two others was scrapped from the court roll. Picture: Soraya Crowie

Members of the community vented their anger after an abduction case against a sangoma and two others was scrapped from the court roll. Picture: Soraya Crowie

Published Nov 25, 2016

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Kimberley - While the police have appealed for calm in Phuthanang following Wednesday night’s arson attack on the house of the sangoma initially arrested in connection with the abduction of five-year-old Keitumetse Magwadibane, the parents of the missing child have vowed to fight the court’s decision to scrap the case.

The house of Nora Mazibuko, who was one of the accused linked to the kidnapping of Magwadibane, was torched by angry community members on Wednesday night after charges against her and three co-accused were scrapped from the court roll by the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court earlier in the day.

Police on Thursday indicated that no one was injured during the arson attack and said that no arrests have been made.

Police spokesman, Colonel Mohale Ramatseba, said that the Provincial Commissioner condemned the attack.

“The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in the Northern Cape, Lieutenant-General Risimati Peter Shivuri, has condemned in the strongest possible terms the torching of a house belonging to a 55-year-old woman of Phuthanang.

“The owner of the house was arrested in July 2016, together with three other suspects, in connection with the disappearance of a five-year-old girl, Keitumetse Magwadibane. The child has not been found to date. The four suspects appeared before the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday and the case was struck from the court roll due to insufficient evidence against the suspects.

“Police investigations are still continuing to ensure that those responsible for the girl’s disappearance are unmasked. The Provincial Commissioner has urged community members not to take the law into their own hands but to allow the law to take its course,” said Ramatseba.

He added that the police were investigating the torching of the sangoma’s house.

“A case of arson has been opened and no arrest has been effected as yet. At the time of the attack, no one was in the house. The cost of the damage has not yet been determined. Police investigations are continuing and no stone will be left unturned in ensuring that those responsible for the arson are brought to book,” said Ramatseba.

Meanwhile, Keitumetse’s parents said that they would fight the court’s decision.

The mother of the child, Margaret Magwadibane, said on Thursday that she would meet with the magistrate in order to appeal the decision.

“We will not accept the court’s decision to let the suspects walk free. We will meet with the magistrate who made the ruling to see whether we can appeal the decision,” said Margaret.

“We were deeply hurt that the court said there was insufficient evidence linking the suspects to the matter, yet the pants of my child were found inside the house of one of the suspects ... how can that not be enough evidence to show that she was inside the house?”

She added that they still had hope that justice would prevail.

“The investigators never revealed the results of the DNA samples that were sent for analysis. They indicated that since we are the parents of the child they cannot reveal the results. We never thought that the samples would come back negative and were under the impression they withholding that information in order to spare our feelings. We still do not know what exactly those samples indicate.”

She said that they would keep close tabs on the investigation to ensure that the matter did not become a cold case.

“We have been in constant contact with the investigation officer to ensure that all outstanding investigations are complete. We have no child nor body of our child. We cannot let this matter die as we need to have closure. Currently we have nothing and the people suspected are walking free. We will fight this matter until the end.”

Community members, who visited the family on Thursday to offer their support, also urged them to keep fighting.

“We have searched for the child since the day of her disappearance. It is heartbreaking that the legal system cared more for the well-being of criminals than it does for the parents. They indicated in court that the accused could not spend Christmas behind bars but how will the parents celebrate the day when they have no answers about where their child is. There are people who commit petty crimes and yet are sent to jail for long periods or kept in custody for many years awaiting trial,” said one community member.

Another community member praised crime-fighting organisation Wanya Tsotsi for all that they had done. “Wanya Tsotsi was a great assistance in this case. If it wasn’t for them, there probably would have been no arrests. They have shed some light on the matter and have pointed the police in a direction to investigate.”

Community and family members have called on political leaders to also assist in the matter.

“We are grateful for the assistance we received from all spheres after people heard about the disappearance of the child. We now have a greater legal battle to fight in ensuring that the truth behind the matter is revealed. We urge anyone who may have information or who can assist in this regard to help the parents get answers and have closure,” they pleaded.

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