The five members linked to the controversial Western Vhukovhela Protection Unit, who were arrested last month, appeared in the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate's Court again on Monday (14th).
The suspects, Dakalo Makhavhu, Sam Makananise, Duncan Madzaga, Mbilaelo Bakali and Rendani Makhavhu, aged between 28 and 38, were arrested during a multidisciplinary intelligence-driven operation by the Vhembe Trio Task team, the Makhado CI and the Beitbridge Task Team between 26 and 28 October. They are facing charges of kidnapping, assault, and attempted murder.
According to the police's spokesperson in Limpopo, Lt Col Mamphaswa Seabi, the suspects are linked to the Western Vhukovhela Protection Unit, who allegedly assaulted community members with sjamboks and other objects.
Some residents in the Sinthumule area describe the group as "crime-fighting soldiers", while others regard them as common criminals who threaten and assault citizens under the guise of protecting law and order.
When the "unit" first became active in the area, this was seemingly an effort to combat the rise in crime in the area. Members of the community, who requested that their names not be mentioned, said that the organisation's members at first went after young boys and men who were then accused of committing crimes. The group members beat the boys and young men with sticks and sjamboks.
The Western Vhukovhela members became so brazen that some of these assaults were even filmed and posted on social media platforms. Some of the goods that were allegedly stolen were returned to residents.
Many of the residents started to become suspicious when the organisation launched a campaign to collect R10 per month from each household to help pay for the protection against the criminals. Some of the residents opted to pay the protection money, while others refused. Some of those who refused also accused the Western Vhukovhela members of being behind the incidents of crime.
The "protection unit" caused mixed reaction in the community, with many blaming the police for not wanting to act against them. Residents complained that if someone refused to pay the R10 monthly contribution, they were asked to pay R300 before they could get any assistance from the organisation.
The tension in the community reached fever pitch early in October when a well-known CEO of a small security company was attacked, allegedly by the members of Western Vhukovhela. The chairperson of the Zoutpansberg Community Development Forum, Mr Patrick Sikhutshi, was allegedly also attacked early in October. The police had to be called in after the attackers allegedly tried to burn down Sikhutshi's house. Sikhutshi was very critical of the rogue activities of Western Vhukovhela's members.
The case against the five suspects was postponed to 21 November for bail applications.