She was responding to OFM News with a question with regards to the unrest that unfolded this week when the two men who stand accused of the murder of teenager, Matlhomola Mosweu, were released on R5 000 bail each.

Incidents which include the burning of houses and looting of businesses occurred when a teenager died under suspicious circumstances after two men allegedly caught him stealing a sunflower on a farm.

South African Human Rights Commission spokesperson, Mpho Boikanyo, has cautioned community members to let the law take its course.

“The accused also have the right to be released if they qualify for bail. For that matter, the trial where they will be questioned and investigated is still coming. As law-abiding South Africans, we have to give the justice system the space to do its job properly without any undue influence,” she says.

She adds that the commission doesn’t have jurisdiction over what goes on in the courts and their mandate is to monitor, observe and take appropriate action where human rights violations take place.

“The loss of a human life is a human rights violation but the matter is now before the court.”

Boikanyo says they are also in the process of reaching out to community leaders in Coligny in order to find a way to restore peace in the town.

“Once we’ve got the buy-ins of all the community leaders we can determine a way forward. I don’t want to commit to anything as we haven’t communicated to all community leaders at this stage,” she says.

OFM News