Township resorts to vigilantism

2003-05-15 08:13

Sibonelo Msomi

Pietermaritzburg - A vigilante group is raiding houses in Ashdown township near Pietermaritzburg in a bid to flush out an alleged gang suspected of terrorising the township's residents.

Since Sunday night, the vigilantes have been searching for alleged gang members, who are accused of robbing, stabbing and shooting residents.

On Friday, the gang allegedly stabbed Sibusiso Mncube, 40, and stole his 9 mm pistol, a watch and a cellphone.

"Six men met me on the road on Friday night, they jumped at me demanding money. They assaulted me and wrestled my bag which I was carrying. When I fended them off, they started assaulting and stabbing me. They took my firearm, watch and cellular phone and made off. A few minutes later, I heard gunshots going off on the road. But I was bleeding and could not call the police," said Mncube.

He said he was told the next day that Deli Mtshali was shot by a gang using Mncube's stolen gun and later died.

On Saturday night the gang, known as "Trompies" after a popular kwaito group, allegedly struck again, stabbing Bonginkosi Ntombela.

This was the final straw for residents who met on Sunday morning, agreeing to hunt down suspected gang members and hand them over to the police.

One suspect

On Sunday night the raid netted one suspect, who was assaulted by the vigilantes before being released.

The gang members were allegedly seen in the area on Monday travelling in a metered taxi but another raid in the evening failed to find anyone.

Community Policing Forum chairperson Mondli Cele confirmed that there are people terrorising residents. He said they are known drug addicts who are stealing money for drugs.

But he said crime levels in Ashdown are not as high as residents say.

"We are just a normal community but people were angered by the recent incidents," Cele said.

Local councillor Pius Zuma confirmed that residents are afraid of the alleged gang but called on them to calm down, and not take law into their own hands, but to help the police.

Senior Superintendent Henry Budhram confirmed the attacks on Mncube and Mtshali and said police have received information about a gang in Ashdown.

He said residents appear unwilling to give information, and appealed for their help, promising that the confidentiality of informants will be maintained.

Anyone with information can contact Captain Kercy Pillay at 083 237 5379 all hours.

- The Witness