Velile can't believe that he was sjamboked for allegedly reprimanding his neighbour's son (12).
What happened?
This after telling the neighbour's son not to climb the fence, not knowing that this would result in him being hospitalised, and allegedly threatened to be killed after opening a case against the alleged neighbour.
Velile Mbambane (23) from Lakeside Estate, De Deur in the Vaal, south of Joburg, is now living in fear for his life.
Velile and his younger brother allegedly asked a neighbour's son not to climb over the fence as it was already in a bad shape, not knowing that this would anger the boy's father.
According to Velile, he told Daily Sun that a few seconds after they spoke to the boy, his father allegedly came into his place very angry with a knife and tried to stab his younger brother, but they managed to take the knife and he left.
"We wanted to apologise to the man for calling his son to order but he told us that it was too late for apologies as they did not need to reprimand his son over a fence and build a wall," said Mabambane.
Velile said the alleged neighbour and his friends known as the 'man in black' broke down the door on Thursday, 21 September around 8pm during load shedding and the boy's father said he was back to 'kill us'.
Velile's brother escapes
Fortunately, my younger brother escaped unharmed while I was dragged outside and beaten up by the neighbour and his friends.
"When I was discharged from hospital last week Thursday, 28 September. I immediately filed a criminal case against my neighbour.
"He was arrested on Friday and released the same day and when he came home, he threatened me by saying he would kill me if I did not drop the charges," Velile said.
Velile's aunt speaks
Marry Mbambane (40), Velile's aunt, told Daily Sun that she took the boys to live with her because she feared that the neighbour and his notorious friends would kill them as they had asked Velile to drop the charges.
Marry alleged that the neighbour's friends are a notorious group in the township who call people when they want to attack someone.
"They also attack people walking on the street after 8pm, whether you are coming from work or anywhere else, you get sjamboked," Marry said.
Safety committee wants answers
Busang Tsotetsi, a member of the Sedibeng District Mayor's Public Safety Committee, told Daily Sun he visited the family after learning that the suspect had been released from police custody the same day and had never appeared in court.
Tsotetsi said he had referred the matter to the Regional Commissioner of Police to find out how it is possible that a person who attempted to kill someone is released from police custody and never appears in court.
Police bring clarity
Gauteng police spokeswoman Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said police opened a case of assault and the suspect was arrested and appeared in court where he was released after the case file was not placed on the court roll for further investigation.
Nevhuhulwi said that in view of the allegations of the suspect making threats, the victim is urged to report to the police so that proper steps can be taken.
More from Daily Sun:
