AFRICAN EYE NEWS SERVICE, Nelspruit | Monday
MPUMALANGA has launched an inquiry into how South Africa’s largest and most controversial vigilante group, Mapogo-a-Mathamaga, was appointed to guard the province’s glitzy R600m legislature complex just outside Nelspruit.
Mpumalanga public works, roads, transport, safety and security MEC Steve Mabona said officials responsible for the appointment would be questioned about their apparent violation of government policy on vigilantes.
“We cannot have vigilantes, who beat and torture suspects, guarding government buildings. If it is allowed to continue it would look like we are condoning their actions,” said Mabona.
Mapogo appears to have been contractually appointed to guard the sprawling government complex after conventional security services and police were unable to stop the systematic theft of building materials.
The organisation, which celebrated its fourth anniversary this weekend, has posted warning signs around the complex and has a rapid response unit on standby should any theft be detected.
Mapogo is notorious for its heavy-handed mob justice and its members have regularly been charged with murder, assault, torture, kidnapping, intimidation, arson and malicious damage to property.
Mapogo’s charismatic leader Montle John Magolego and 11 of his most trusted lieutenants were acquitted on two murder and five assault charges in Groblersdal earlier this month after witnesses refused to testify against them.
The security chief for the legislature’s construction company Sivukile Holdings/ Stocks & Stocks confirmed that Mapogo was brought in after conventional crime control measures failed.
“We use undercover Mapogo people to infiltrate the theft syndicates and catch the thieves red-handed. The tactic works, because we have managed to arrest a number of people,” said the security chief.
The man refused to supply further details on the alleged arrests, or indicate whether Mapogo’s infamous ‘truth serum’ of a chilli ointment smeared on sjamboks was used to extract confessions.