Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
23 February 2024
Bongani Shabangu led the community of Embalenhle Ext 8 and crossroads to Tsalanang flats on the 19th of January 2024 with the aim of serving notice to illegal occupants to vacate.
According to the information received from the organizers of the concerned community, some of the so-called illegal occupants have RDPs but they opted to rent them out while staying at Tsalananga Flats for free.
A notice of seven (7) days was issued on the said date.
On the 26th of January, which is seven days after the notice was issued, some youth from Ext 8 went to Tsalanang Flats.
On their arrival, some of Tsalanang residents fought back and chaos broke, leading to a mediation effort by the police with representatives from both groups.
According to Bongani Shabangu the mediation process with the police failed.
Later that same date, he was kidnapped and assaulted by people known to him who are alleged to own flats at Tsalanang.
“I was taken to one flat inside Tsalanang, where I was assaulted for hours, if not for one lady who came to my rescue, I do not know if I would have survived that night,” Shabangu said, detailing his kidnapping ordeal.
Shabangu further told Seskhona media that he was then taken to the hospital before going to open a case of kidnapping and assault against the suspects.
He further alleged that the station commander promised in a meeting with municipal officials that they would arrest the suspects, but to his surprise, no arrests have been made thus far.
He further alleged that when he sees them, he calls the police, but they tell him that they can’t find the suspects, regardless of him issuing the police with the suspect’s address.
In another incident, Sfundo Mabena, who is also a victim alleged that he was parked near a shop just outside Tsalanang Flats when the said suspects attacked him in broad daylight, he further alleged that the suspects broke the windows of his vehicle, thereafter, damaged his car tyres.
“They started attacking me, saying I was part of the people causing disruption at the flats. As I was about to answer, they started assaulting me.
I am even surprised that one of the suspect is related to me.
I opened a case of assault and malicious damage to property at the Embalenhle Police Station but was still surprised as to how the suspects were not arrested after I pointed them out, “said Sfundo Mabena.
Seskhona Media contacted the eMbalenhle Police station to confirm the above allegations, and the Police spokesperson said no arrests have been made thus far.
