Accused ‘soldier’ assaulted over rape of Philippi woman, 70

File picture: Pexels

File picture: Pexels

Published Jun 30, 2020

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Cape Town – Angry residents of Siyahlala informal settlement in Philippi, where 17-year-old Amahle Quku’s naked body was found last week, have taken the law into their hands and assaulted a man accused of raping a 70-year-old woman.

The woman and her husband had been drinking with the suspect on Sunday, said community leader Sibusiso Qwabe.

“I was woken up by a call that an angry mob wanted to kill a resident who raped someone.

“The two elderly people were drinking with the suspect, whom they knew. He sent the husband to a local store to buy something.

“When he returned, residents who heard her crying for help during the incident had gathered outside, demanding that the suspect come out. The husband found the wife inside, traumatised, and told him what happened.

“The suspect was trapped inside and I tried to reason with the angry crowd, and gave up.

“The suspect is an SANDF (member) who lives in the area, someone who should protect people,” said Qwabe.

Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said: “The suspect (in his fifties) who was allegedly beaten by the community members was arrested and taken to hospital for treatment. Once the suspect is charged, he will appear in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court.”

SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said: “The matter has been brought to my attention and I have requested our people to follow up on it and confirm if indeed the incident involved any SANDF person.

“I can only comment further once all the information is at hand or the person appears before the court, as should be the case. A crime is a crime no matter who commits it and the law will apply.”

Philippi Community Policing Forum secretary Melikhaya Gadeni said they were disappointed that residents had yet again taken matters into their own hands.

This was after community leader Salathiso Sibali died in hospital after being shot. He was accused of

protecting 25-year-old Leonard

Mzingeli, who has been charged with

Amahle’s murder. 

The teenager’s naked body was

found on Albert Luthuli Street, about

800m from her home.

Sibali had been sitting in a car

with his brother when irate residents

allegedly demanded to know why he

turned over Mzingeli to the police

and not to them.

Sibali’s house was also

demolished. 

Gadeni said: “We only support

lawful actions that are taken to

bring justice to victims and their

families. We condemn it in the

strongest way when people try to

take action into their own hands. 

"We understand that people are angry

and disgusted by what is happening

in our communities, but we cannot

condone this as it has cost the life of

an innocent person. 

“Sibali was mercilessly killed with

six bullets for doing what’s right,

and his family is struggling to bury

him now. He was a Sanco leader who

worked with us in addressing crime

in our area. We are really saddened

that he didn’t live to say who his

killers are.” 

Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk

said initially a case of attempted

murder was opened for investigation,

but it had now changed to a murder

case. 

“A case of malicious damage

to property was also opened for

investigation, with no arrests so far,”

Van Wyk said. 

Anyone with information can

anonymously contact Crime Stop on

08600 10111 or SMS Crime Line on

32211.

Cape Times

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