the monitor

Molepolole unrest: Urgent attention on missing person cases

The unsettling events in Molepolole last Thursday, stemming from the suspected ritual murder of taxi driver Phenyo Jakoba, depict a community on the edge. The ensuing chaos, including the burning of houses, the village Kgotla shelter, and road blockades, reveals deep-seated frustration over the perceived negligence in missing person cases, especially those ending tragically.

From Jakoba's mysterious disappearance on November 9 to the grim discovery of his remains at Mosinki Lands, a gap in the response mechanisms of the police and village leadership has been laid bare. The community's anger is evident, seen in the attack on Bakang Masole, the man found driving Jakoba's taxi and the main suspect, and the subsequent riot. Residents express discontent, citing a troubling trend of missing persons cases often ending in death, allegedly for ritual purposes.

The authorities' failure to address these concerns has left residents feeling betrayed, leading to the destructive outburst after Jakoba's funeral.


Editor's Comment
Mob justice isn't just

A young man suspected of breaking into a car was seized by residents, severely assaulted, and died in the hospital within an hour. We unreservedly condemn this mob justice. It is not a solution to crime, but a criminal offence that turns citizens into murderers.Residents are understandably angry about theft. The person who raised the alarm at 4am acted lawfully, and the neighbours who rushed to help showed community spirit. But what followed was...

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