Sandiso Phaliso
They say their village is full of crime emanating from drug abuse and so they have resorted to taking the law into their own hands.
But when they deal with the alleged criminals, villagers from Upper Mncuncuzo in Khayamandi, Eastern Cape, will often find themselves behind bars with no money for bail or lawyers’ fees.
Two years ago, villagers decided to contribute an annual fee of R500 per household – for when one of them is arrested for being involved in mob justice.
The idea came after residents were arrested in large numbers. Some ended up sitting in jail for months because they could not afford bail, and private legal representation.
For the last two years, in three separate incidents, the residents have been arrested after taking the law into their own hands by assaulting people they suspected of wrongdoing.
Crime in the area, they say, is rife and drugs were sold, attracting drug addicts from other areas.
Resident Sikhumbuzo Apleni said the community had lost faith in the policing and justice system.
In 2020, a teenager was killed and three others were assaulted, allegedly by the community.
In 2021 two other youths were stoned to death and seven others injured, after allegedly being assaulted in acts of mob justice.
In another case, resident Sinethemba Sigam, accused of killing a relative of a drug lord after a scuffle, will continue benefiting from the community fund until his case is finalised.
On Thursday, arson accused Thandisile Selani, 70, Mayekiso Maguwa-Zono, 58, Motwana Mpayipheli, 69, Nohalala Mgutyana, 38, Nosecond Mpayipheli, 62, and Lungiswa Tshabile were granted R500 bail and the community paid up.
When the case resumes on 7 March, their legal representatives will be paid another R3,800 from the fund.
Thandisile Saleni, a traditional leader, has been accused of torching an alleged drug lord’s home and minibuses on 13 January.
Despite blazing hot weather last Thursday, the residents went to court in support of the seven accused.
Residents claim the druglord, who has since moved his livestock and relocated to another village, was the reason crime was uncontrollable in Khayamandi.
“Drugs are fuelling crime and they are sold freely here. We are no longer safe in our space,” said Apleni.
“We contribute money because not all of us can afford legal fees.”
