KEY POINTS
- Eight suspects appeared in court for allegedly torching a house in Matangari village, believed to be an act of mob justice.
- The attack was reportedly linked to accusations that the homeowner harbored a Zimbabwean man who had raped a woman and was later killed by an angry crowd.
- The case was postponed to 6 March 2025 as the DPP reviews the charges, while concerns grow over vigilante justice in the region.
Eight individuals accused of setting a nine-room house ablaze in Matangari village appeared in the Sibasa Regional Court on Tuesday, facing arson charges.
The Matangari incident, which took place on September 6, 2022, was reportedly an act of mob justice in response to a violent crime that had shaken the community.
The accused—Tshiphiri Daba, Rolivhuwa Mukhotho, Orifha Mukhotho, Thivhusiwi Musandiwa, Mashudu Mphaphuli, Norman Siebathavha, Maanda Mukhotho, and Shumani Mathews Mundalamo—allegedly formed part of a group that stormed the home of Mr. Mmbetsheleni Daba.
Prior to the Matangari attack, they had attended a meeting with their traditional leader and the royal council. After leaving the meeting, the mob descended on Daba’s house, reportedly shattering all its windows before setting it on fire, reducing it to ashes.
Allegations of Harbouring a Fugitive Sparks Outrage
Although details of the discussions at the royal house remain unclear, it is believed that the attack was triggered by the rape of a 26-year-old woman the previous week. The alleged perpetrator, identified as an illegal immigrant from Zimbabwe, was later beaten to death by enraged community members.
The mob accused Daba of providing shelter to the deceased suspect, a claim that fueled tensions in the village.
During the attack, Daba was inside the house but miraculously escaped before the flames engulfed the structure. Eyewitnesses claim that police were aware of the mob’s intentions but failed to intervene. One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed frustration over law enforcement’s inaction: “We warned them in advance, but they just stood by and let it happen.”
The case, which has garnered significant public interest, has been postponed to March 6, 2025. The delay comes as the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) reviews whether to proceed with the case, after requesting further clarification on aspects of the charge sheet.
In court, the state also requested the cancellation of warrants of arrest for accused numbers two and three, a motion that the magistrate granted.
As the legal battle unfolds, the case highlights broader concerns over vigilante justice and the failure of authorities to prevent such incidents. Legal experts warn that taking the law into one’s hands often leads to further violence, complicating the justice process.
