Chief Looses All He Had In Flame Of Anger

THE CHIEF thought he was going to be set on fire when hundreds of angry people invaded his yard.

They told him he was going to die for withholding the truth from them.

BUT HE LIVED – TO SEE HIS HOUSE AND CARS GO UP IN FLAMES.

“I was at home when about 500 people filled my yard,” said community headman Masiya Mohlala from Diphale

Chief Looses All He Had In Flame Of Anger

Village, Burgersfort in Limpopo. Chief Masiya said the people accused him of having information about Nanankie Moswake (20), who went missing in late December last year.

Her decomposing body was found in the bush on 5 January and she was buried on 11 January. Two houses, including another chief’s house, were set on fire and five vehicles were also burned.

Chief Masiya said the people filled his yard and started swearing at him.

“They said I knew what the suspect told the police.

“Then in a minute my house was on fire. My three vehicles were also set alight and my kids had to run for their lives,” he said.

He said he was still worrying about his family when a few people grabbed him and told him they were going to set him on fire.

“I had already accepted that I was going to be burnt to death, when others stopped them and took me to one of the houses of other royal committee members.

“They accused them of also withholding information about the suspect, and burnt their houses too,” he said.

He said they also took his big plasma TV and groceries.

Chief Masiya said according to a police assessment, damage to his property, including the vehicles, amounted to R3,5 million.

The vehicles were a 2008 Toyota Prado, a 2003 Toyota double-cab and a Nissan 1400.

A 2014 Toyota double-cab parked behind the house was not damaged.

His wife and eight children hid at neighbours’ houses.

“I still can’t believe what happened here,” said the chief.

The SunTeam also visited Nanankie’s family, who said they were still struggling to deal with her death.

Chief Looses All He Had In Flame Of Anger

Chief Masiya said he will have a meeting with the community.

Public order police are still in the village monitoring the situation.

Mecklenburg police spokesman, Constable Kgalake Mampuru, said a case of arson and malicious damage to property has been opened but no one had been arrested.

“Regarding the death of the young woman, the suspect is still in police holding cells. Our investigations are continuing,” he said.