Tshikota residents outside the Louis Trichardt Magistrates Court demanding that cases against two alleged violent criminals be reinstated. Photo: Bernard Chiguvare
Hundreds of Tshikota township residents marched to the Louis Trichardt Magistrates Court in Limpopo on Thursday. The community was shocked and angered when they discovered that cases against Sifuralo Mathatha and Steve Ndou had been withdrawn last week.
The two men face a string of charges in at least four different cases between September 2021 and June 2022, including possession of unlicensed firearms, robbery and extortion.
GroundUp was told that Mathatha is still in police custody, while Ndou has been spotted back in the community.
The protesters accuse the prosecutors and court officials of bungling cases against two allegedly violent criminals.
According to community leader Adam Manari, it is not the first time the community has been dissatisfied with how the court manages cases. They also marched to the court last year.
In a memorandum, they called for a new magistrate to preside over the cases, and an independent investigation into the conduct of the court’s principal and the state prosecutor.
Brighton Rarusunga said, “My family lives in fear of these criminals. Should I buy dogs to look after my family and my home? We are tired of these court officials.”
He believed bribery was involved.
Thabang Masebe Tlou, secretary of the Tshikota SANCO branch, said that since the Tshikota Anti-Crime Group was established last year, criminal activities have been reduced. “This was through working with police but as matters are in court now, we are surprised cases are withdrawn,” he said.
Andries Matakala, acting court manager, signed the memo and promised residents that the cases would eventually be reinstated. He did not confirm the reasons for the cases being withdrawn.
Limpopo National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi promised to escalate our questions on the cases and allegations made by residents to the national office. Their response will be included once received.
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