North West premier condemns vigilantism

North West Premier Thandi Modise. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

North West Premier Thandi Modise. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

Published Jan 30, 2014

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Hartebeesfontein - The public should not take the law into their own hands because vigilantism creates a cycle of violence, North West premier Thandi Modise said on Thursday.

“We condemn, in the strongest terms possible, vigilantism as it leads to lawlessness and revenge attacks by persons who feel aggrieved by the actions of those who conduct kangaroo courts and give themselves the roles of judges and executioners,” she said in a statement.

On Wednesday, five men appeared in Hartbeesfontein Magistrate's Court on charges of attempted murder and kidnapping.

They had allegedly set alight Jan Lephadi, whom they believed to be a house robber, on Saturday.

Lephadi was burnt on his head and back.

His alleged attackers Mangaliso Bonde, 29, Zamani Bonde, 26, George Bonde, 32, Thembi Xandibe, 23, and William Sitele, 19, would appear in court again on February 4 for a bail application.

Modise said: “This barbarism should be stamped out before innocent lives are lost”.

Sapa

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