Close to a million worth of property destroyed in Molepolole riots
Fifteen people charged with arson and malicious damage to property following riots that happened in Molepolole last week have caused damage of over P700 000.
The riots happened shortly after the police found the decomposed body of 35-year-old Phenyo Jakoba who went missing on the 9th of November 2023. He was found dead on the 21st of November at Mosinki Lands near Molepolole.
When appearing before Magistrate Solomon Setshedi of Molepolole on Monday, court heard that the accused set fire to a house belonging to Paul Isaac Sekgwa and burnt it to ashes. The properties that got burnt include among other things, four television sets, fridges, a cell phone and a washing machine. The properties are valued at P94 300.
They are also accused of setting fire to Molepolole main Kgotla shelter belonging to Kweneng Tribal Administration valued at P600 000. They also set fire on two roundavel houses belonging to Modirwa Tsebekgale and properties worth P12 425, whose worth has not yet been established.
Moreover, the accused allegedly smashed front door windows, back sliding glass and right tail lamp of a government vehicle and the damage is valued at P7 600. They also stand accused of smashing 52 window panes of the Tribal Administration office valued at P3 000.
According to the charge sheet, 10 of the 15 accused people are unemployed while one is a manager at Saveway General Dealer, two are employees at Rosemary Butchery. One is a taxi driver while another is employed under the National Service Programme of Tirelo Sechaba.
When one walks through the streets of Molepolole, there are charred plants and buildings suggesting that the mob set fire on anything before them. Grass and electric power cables found near and in front of Molepolole Sports Complex have burnt, the stadium was saved by the wall boundary, otherwise it might have caught fire as well.
Deputy Police Spokesperson Near Bagali has told this publication that although only 15 have been brought before court, they will arrest and bring to court all implicated in the burning and breaking of properties.
Furthermore and when the Midweek Sun paid a visit to the home of Tsebekgale, a place where Jakoba's alleged killer Bakang Masole resided, the place was under police escort. Nobody was home and the gates were closed. The neighbours shared that they had not seen the home owner for days.
"We do not know where he is, the police do not allow anyone to go near that home. We are all in the dark. We hear that Masole lived somewhere there but we are not sure because this home is now under the care of children, their parents long died, maybe Masole was their friend," an elderly woman said.
She added that on the day that the riots happened, some people had misled the public, saying some body parts were being retrieved from the house. The place, she said, was heavily packed.
"So many people were here while the police searched for evidence, when a bowl was brought out, all were quick to conclude that it contained body parts, but such were all lies. They have now brought fear to our lives, we are
just next door, the fire that burnt those houses this side could have easily reached us," she said.
Addressing the media last week, Bagali had confirmed that when they found Jakoba's body, he had missing body parts. However, he rubbished claims that the body parts were found at Tsebekgale's house, where the alleged murderer was renting.
"We have not found any body parts," he said.