Karabo Rammutla
Angry community members stormed into a police station when they heard that a man who had beaten up his girlfriend had mysteriously disappeared from police holding cells.
On Wednesday morning residents blocked the Mamelodi East police station entrance with red tape blocking access to the station.
Singing struggle songs, the protestors demanded suspect Mojalefa Kekana be re-arrested.
Kekana allegedly escaped from the holding cells after he was arrested for assaulting his ex-girlfriend Boipelo Sebaka.
After the protesters agreed to move away from the gate the street remained closed with motorists struggling to access the station.
Boipelo, 18, was assaulted on 26 August at the boyfriend’s home in Extension 6 Mamelodi East after the suspect forcefully took her from her friend’s house.
Kekana, 31, allegedly demanded that Boipelo give him their three-month-old daughter.
He was arrested on 29 August outside a tavern near Boipelo’s home.
Station commander Brigadier Terence Naidoo did not confirm Kekana’s escape and refused to go into details saying it might compromise the station.
He however confirmed that they were looking for the suspect and called on the community to help the police.
Moshy Mathe who runs the shelter where Boipelo and her family have taken refuge said they have given the station 48 hours to find the suspect.
“The family saw the arrest. It is clear that he escaped and we demand he be re-arrested so that Boipelo can return to her community,” Mathe said.
Mathe said they also want charges of attempted murder to be added.
“Looking at the pictures it is clear he wanted to kill her, he also left her for dead when she fainted. Their relationship started when she was 16 and he was 28,” she said.
Protesters dispersed after being addressed by the station commander.
