Three Basotho killed in NW illegal mining gang violence
North West police have arrested four men following the discovery of the bodies of three men, aged between 28 and 35, that were dumped in a river in Kanana, near Orkney.
It is alleged that on Saturday evening, 18 January 2025, a fight broke out at a tavern in Extension 3 in Kanana.
Preliminary information indicated that one group overpowered the other, the five victims were then allegedly forced into a vehicle, and kidnapped. It's understood they were taken to the nearby Schoonspruit river where they assaulted.
One of the victims managed to escape and four others were thrown into the river, but one of them were able to swim to safety.
“The matter was reported to the police, who immediately searched for the victims. Police divers were activated the next day, Sunday, 19 January 2025, to assist with the search operation. The first body was recovered by police divers early on Monday morning, 20 January 2025, approximately 800m downstream from the initial crime scene. A second body wasrecovered at midday on Tuesday, 21 January about 650m downstream and the last body was recovered later the same day at about 16:40 about 1.5km downstream from the crime scene,” said police spokesperson Adele Myburgh.
#sapsNW Kanana police worked around the clock to identify and arrest four men for the triple murder of three males between the ages of 25 and 38. It is alleged that on 18 January 2025, a fight broke out between Basotho nationals at a tavern in Extension 3 in Kanana, close to… pic.twitter.com/ikcPO95t5A
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) January 23, 2025
She says police investigations led to the arrest of the first suspect on Monday, 20 January 2025.
“Three more suspects were also identified and arrested. Mosweu Letsie (32), Tumisang Khoachone (21), Tshidiso Mohloboli (18), and Itumeleng Mosweunyane (24) appeared before the Orkney Magistrates’ Court between Monday, 20 and Wednesday, 22 January 2025, on charges of murder, kidnapping and assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH). They were all remanded in custody until Monday, 27 January 2025, for a formal bail application.”
Speaking during a press briefing, to give an update on the Stilfontein illegal mining operation, acting provincial police commissioner Patrick Asaneng condemned crimes linked to illegal mining which continue to plague communities around the North West.
Asaneng said they were working along with their Lesotho counterparts to crack the case.
“We’ve established that both the victims and the suspects are from Lesotho, both belong to rival groups, but apart from being in illegal mining they were fighting for the Basotho folk music called Famo.”
The acting commissioner urged members of the public to report illegal mining and other criminal activities.
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