Eight suspects who were arrested for allegedly setting a nine-room house on fire at Matangari village on 6 September 2022 appeared in the Sibasa Regional Court on Tuesday, facing arson charges.
The suspects - Tshiphiri Daba, Rolivhuwa Mukhotho, Orifha Mukhotho, Thivhusiwi Musandiwa, Mashudu Mphaphuli, Norman Siebathavha, Maanda Mukhotho and Shumani Mathews Mundalamo - are alleged to be part of a mob that went to the house of Mr Mmbetsheleni Daba. The group had reportedly attended a meeting with their traditional leader and the royal council before heading to Daba's home. They allegedly broke all the windows before setting the house on fire, burning it to the ground.
The exact details of what was discussed at the royal house meeting are unknown, but the community's actions appeared to be in response to the rape of a 26-year-old woman the previous week. The woman was allegedly raped by an illegal immigrant from Zimbabwe, who was beaten to death by an angry crowd a week later. Daba was accused of harbouring the Zimbabwean national.
Daba was reportedly at home when the attack began but miraculously escaped the inferno. Community members who witnessed the incident said the police had been informed of the crowd's intentions to burn the house down but had done nothing.
The case has been postponed to 6 March 2025, pending a decision by the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions on whether to proceed with the case. The DPP had earlier asked the state to clarify certain facts on the charge sheet.
The state also requested the cancellation of warrants of arrest for accused numbers two and three, which was granted by the magistrate.