Makhongele family still living in fear after hostage drama

On 13 December last year, a family of 10 from Makhongele in Elim found themselves thrust into a night of terror when three suspects invaded their home while they were sleeping, setting the stage for an unsettling hostage drama. The traumatic experience has left the family living in constant fear, exacerbated by the fact that the alleged perpetrators are yet to be arrested.

On the night of the incident, the three suspects allegedly broke into the victims’ home brazenly, armed with a knife and a spade. The unsuspecting family soon found themselves held captive by their intruders and, confronted with the looming threat of violence, were forced to surrender their belongings, including a Plasma TV, laptop, seven cellphones, and a bag full of clothes.

One of the family members, Ms. Kenny Mthombeni, said the family had been left in utter shock. “I suggested to my mother that I escape through the bathroom window to seek help. Despite her refusal, I did so and jumped over the fence, but I was worried that there might be others outside the house,” she said.

As Mthombeni made her escape to seek help, the burglars grabbed their loot and fled from the house on foot.

The following day, Mthombeni continued, the community decided to hunt for the suspects themselves and apprehended two men. One was found at Mpheni and the other one in Elim. The third suspect ran away. Not resorting to mob justice, they then summoned the police to come and arrest the suspects. “Only to find out later that the suspects had never even made it to the police station. We heard that the police were bribed by the suspects to let them go on their way to the police station,” said Mthombeni.

Desperate for justice, a group of concerned residents took to the streets on Monday, 18 December, marching to the Waterval Police Station to make their concerns known about the suspects in the case, but they were told that no case had been opened as no evidence could be found against the suspects.

“The trauma is relentless; fear grips us as soon as we step inside the house. I’ve called a relative to join us for safety. With load shedding, we sometimes only go to sleep at around 04:00 because we don't feel secure in our own home,” said Mthombeni.

Vhembe police spokesperson W/O Vuledzani Dathi confirmed the burglary and that two males were apprehended by the local community after they set out looking for the suspects. According to Dathi, the suspects who were caught were not in possession of any of the items related to those stolen in the house robbery, and the police had to step in when they were assaulted by a mob. “They beat them and later called the police, who came and rescued the suspects and took them to the local hospital,” he said.

Dathi clarified that the suspects were never detained as they were not linked to the house-robbery case. “That means that no arrests have been made yet. The police are still searching for the right suspects,” he said.

Any information that can assist the police in apprehending the suspects can be shared with the investigating officer, Captain Mabunda, on 082 565 7901.

Date:11 January 2024

By: Thembi Siaga

Thembi Siaga started as an intern during 2021. He assisted with video photography and editing. He also produced numerous small documentaries, focusing on the Vhembe region and its people. Currently he works as a freelance journalist, covering stories in the Elim area.

Thembi studied at the Tshwane University of Technology, where he completed his diploma in Journalism in 2021.

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