A mob of Extension 9 residents burnt tyres, chanted songs and demanded the re-arrest of two men and a teenager accused of raping and murdering an elderly woman.
A mob of Extension 9 residents burnt tyres, chanted songs and demanded the re-arrest of two men and a teenager accused of raping and murdering an elderly woman. Last Thursday night the angry crowd gathered outside the home of the three accused; Vuyani Phaphu, 23, Thembalethu Gwebani, 25, and a 15-year-old boy who cannot be named because he is a minor, who all pleaded not guilty in the Grahamstown Magistrate's Court. The three had been in custody since abandoning their bail application last May, when they were arrested for the rape and murder of 66-year-old Sindiwe Bedesho. They were released and the charges against them were dropped on Wednesday last week due to a lack of evidence, and an attorney connected to the case told italGrocott's Mail/ital that they couldn't remain in jail indefinitely while awaiting their trial. A convenor of the group, Lulamile Mgqobele, said that residents were angry and they had seen enough rape and murder in Extension 9. Another resident at the scene, Gcobisa Plaatjie, said she was very disappointed with the court's decision to release the three accused, and that residents are the victims of crime and the legal system cannot help them. After about 20 minutes four police vehicles arrived at the scene and the three suspects were taken back to the police station.
