‘Rogue’ neighbourhood watch members charged with assault

CASES of assault were opened against members of a neighbourhood watch group that is operating in Roodepan/homevale and surrounding areas.

Local residents added that a suspect was summoned to the Galeshewe police station yesterday, where community members demanded that he be arrested on charges of assault and kidnapping.

“One of the victims was allegedly loaded into the suspect’s boot. One was stripped naked and a prod was used on his private parts,” said the residents.

Community members claimed that a ward councillor was part of the “rogue” neighbourhood watch.

“People are sworn at and woken up while they are sleeping in their shanties. The neighbourhood watch members enter the yards and search people’s houses with flashlights in the middle of the night, for no apparent reason. Young and elderly people are being assaulted. They are causing confusion with the recognised neighbourhood watch, who do not use unnecessary violence. No one knows who is supposed to be on duty or who belongs to which neighbourhood watch.”

Galeshewe police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam confirmed

that cases of assault had been opened at the Galeshewe and Roodepan police stations.

“Further investigations will determine if the cases are linked,” said Sam.

In light of the accusations against the ward councillor, ANC regional spokesperson Tshepo Louw stated that he would respond once he had “gotten the full story”.