Tuesday, June 4, 2024 - Police have arrested two persons after a local pastor's house was burnt down over allegations of kidnapping children at Kgabalatsane village in Hebron, North West, South Africa.
The arrested suspects appeared before the
Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court on Monday, June 3, 2024, on varying charges
including arson and possession of stolen property.
The arrests follow the incident in which
members of the community allegedly set alight a house belonging to a local
church pastor last Thursday.
“According to information at our disposal,
members of the community accused the pastor of kidnapping and keeping children
at his house,” said North West provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant
Colonel Amanda Funani.
“It is alleged 300 members of the community
gathered in front of the church at Kgabalatsane village, Hebron near Brits on
Thursday, 30 May 2024, and demanded the release of the children.”
She said police consequently found three
children at the premises, and handed them to their parents. However, the
parents denied the allegations of kidnapping
Police then escorted the besieged pastor to
the local police station after the angry mob of community members threatened to
assault him.
"However, the police were later called
and informed that the pastor’s house was burning. Subsequent to the incident,
two suspects, aged 19 and 54, were arrested for arson and possession of
suspected stolen property,” said Funani.
Meanwhile, North West provincial police
commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena has commended the police for their
swift reaction which led to the arrests.
Kwena urged the public to allow
investigations to unfold and to refrain from taking the law into their own
hands.
He said criminal activities should be
reported to the police.
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