It's alleged that on 7 November 2022, at about 20:00, a group of homeless men were attacked by members of the neighbourhood watch at a half-built house in River Street, Bothaville. 

Provincial police spokesperson Stephen Thakeng explained that the 32-year-old complainant, Chaka Coetzee, alleged that he was doused with an inflammable liquid. He caught fire and sustained burn wounds, while the 35-year-old Thabiso Konstabel Nondeyi was allegedly shot with rubber bullets. Following the incident, most homeless people in the area were transported to the Kgotsong township by police. 

Thakeng said investigations into the matter are at an advanced stage.

“We can confirm that we are investigating two counts of attempted murder after the allegations by two homeless men allegedly attacked by neighbourhood watch members. We want to confirm that we continue with our thorough investigation. The identification parade will be held soon to ensure that justice prevails,” he said.  

Meanwhile, on 17 February 2022, members of Cosatu marched peacefully to the Bothaville Police Station and handed over a memorandum to the Station Commander of Bothaville, Colonel Mankatsa Magage. 

According to Thakeng, some of the demands included that the perpetrators who attacked the homeless people should be arrested and appear in court within 48 hours.

Thakeng added that an Identification parade will be held and once the investigation has been concluded, a docket will be handed to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a decision to prosecute or not.

OFM News