By Doreen Mokgolo
An angry mob of more than 40 people searching for a missing 25-year-old mentally ill woman assaulted a group of recovering drug addicts at the Masakhane Support Centre in Kwa-Thema, Ekurhuleni.
The woman was seen on CCTV footage from the neighbouring tavern walking into the centre with its founder, Themba Mahubane.
A Kwa-Thema community group had earlier posted news that the woman had been missing all day.
The mob, armed with sticks and chains, accused Mahubane of raping the woman and attacked him and the recovering male addicts.
In an interview with Scrolla.Africa, Mahubane explained that he found the disoriented woman while walking to the centre from a local tuckshop on Wednesday, 3 July.
He was worried for her safety as it was getting dark, so he brought her to the centre to help her.
“While at the centre still interviewing her, an angry mob of residents marched in accusing me of raping the woman and started assaulting me and the male recovering addicts,” he said.
Despite his explanation, the mob was not willing to listen and splashed the recovering addicts with cold water, believing it would force drugs out of their systems.
The next day, a police officer in plain clothes, who arrived in a Dunnottar SAPS-branded vehicle, was seen on CCTV footage threatening to burn down the centre.
Mahubane was arrested two days later on charges of kidnapping and rape but was told by the investigating officer that the case had been struck off the court roll.
Mahubane has since filed charges of assault and intimidation against those responsible.
“We are offering a service to sensitive community members who are trying to rebuild their lives, and now the community is targeting them unfairly,” he said.
Kwa-Thema police spokesperson Constable Nkululeko Magudulela said the case number provided to Mahubane is for fraud, not intimidation and assault.
“We are encouraging [him] to come to the police station tomorrow for further assistance,” he said.
Pictured above: Themba Mahubane was assaulted by an angry mob who accused him of kidnapping and raping a 25-year-old.
Source: Supplied
