Description

Swartruggens residents on night patrol against black protestors demanding TOLL on Silverkrans road- protesting against ritual killing of Thabiso Moloi, 24 in May.Black residents also torched the house and car of a tavern-owner where the cruelly-tortured Moloi was last seen. (picture)
September 21 2011 Black residents of the Tlokweng township near Swartruggens, have stoned cars and extorted toll-fees from white travellers who want to pass through barricades on the Silverkrans Road main thoroughfare.
North West police said on Wednesday that “Since last week Thursday, a group has been gathering every evening, burning tyres and barricading roads with rocks,” Warrant Officer Sam Tselanyane said.
The excuse used to extort the tolls is that there was a 'ritual killing' of a local resident, Thabiso Moloi three months ago, said public safety MEC Desbo Mohono.
She did not explain the details of this 'ritual killing' further, nor explain why the residents would be barring the roads for this reason.
“The despicable and unlawful conduct of criminal elements masquerading as protesters in Tlokweng is a matter that should concern law-abiding residents,” she said.
Mohono advised motorists to use the N4 Bakwena Platinum highway instead of driving through Tlokweng. -
http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/night-patrols-as-n-west-protest-intensifes-1.1142276------------Intimidation, arson in Tlokweng unrest

May 30 2011 at 09:23pm

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A car and house - belonging to the owner of the tavern at which Moloi was last seen - were torched.
Acts of intimidation and arson in Tlokeng village, near Swartruggens, has prompted police intervention, the North West department of public safety said on Monday.

“A high-powered police intervention team ... led by deputy provincial commissioner Major General William Mpembe arrived in the village on Monday afternoon to mediate for restraint,” said spokesman Lesiba Moses Kgwele in a statement.

He said the unrest started with the alleged ritual murder of 25-year-old Thabiso Moloi.

A car and house Ä belonging to the owner of the tavern at which Moloi was last seen Ä were torched and the tavern owner had been intimidated, Kgwele said.

Moloi was reported missing on April 15 and his decomposing body was found last Tuesday.

After his funeral on Saturday, a crowd described as “rowdy” marching towards the tavern owner's house was dispersed by police. Angry community members also blocked roads with burning tyres.

“Police will get to the bottom of the matter as they will not stand idle and watch misguided community members being manipulated by those with a nefarious agenda into breaking the law with impunity,” said North West public safety MEC Desbo Mohono. -http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/night-patrols-as-n-west-protest-intensifes-1.1142276