Two people have been arrested after a pastor’s house was set on fire by members of the community in Kgabalatsane village, Hebron, North West, South Africa. The incident occurred following allegations that the pastor was involved in the kidnapping of children.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani, the provincial police spokesperson, approximately 300 community members gathered in front of the church on May 30, 2024, demanding the release of the alleged kidnapped children. Police discovered three children at the pastor’s premises and returned them to their parents, who denied the kidnapping allegations.
Due to threats of assault from the angry mob, the police escorted the pastor to the police station for his safety. However, they were later informed that the pastor’s house was in flames. Subsequently, a 19-year-old and a 54-year-old were arrested on charges of arson and possession of suspected stolen property.
North West provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, praised the swift response of the police, leading to the arrests. He urged the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and to allow the investigations to proceed. Kwena emphasized the importance of reporting criminal activities to the police.
The incident highlights the need for thorough investigations and the importance of relying on law enforcement agencies to handle criminal allegations rather than resorting to vigilante actions.
