'Blanket men' spread terror
A 20-YEAR-OLD man from an informal settlement in Fochville lay at the Carletonville Hospital with a bullet lodged in his face, unaware that this father had been killed.
SURVIVOR: Executive mayor of Merafong city Local municipality Maphelo Mogale Letsie visits Realeboga Letsala in hospital after he was shot in the attack at the tavern. PHOTO: VELI NHLAPO- Fury in Driefontein after three die in tavern shooting
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Realeboga Letsaka and his father were beaten up and shot at a tavern on Saturday night, allegedly by members of a gang identified by the colour of the blankets they wore. The area, known as East 5, is a mining settlement on private land.
The shooting claimed the life of another man and about 10 other people suffered gunshot wounds.
Thabang Joka's shack in another section of the township was one of five shacks burnt down that day. "I am told that they arrived at about 3pm when I was not there . When I arrived later, I was told that I must hide and find my way out of the township because I was a wanted man. Me and my two friends tried escaping at night but all exit routes were blocked by the men. We were hunted and finally cornered.
"One of my friends was shot in the chest. I was shot in the leg. My other friend kept running. I know them. They are from the yellow blankets," Joka said of the attackers.
The shooting took place at about 10pm. Eyewitnesses said about three men entered the tavern and opened fire. Then more men entered and assaulted everyone with knobkerries.
According to witnesses, Realeboga's father was first beaten up by the men, one of whom was shouting his name. Then another man delivered the final blow - four bullets in the upper body.
Rose Stefawe, the owner of the tavern, said there were about 30 people in the tavern. "The boy who was shot and his father killed was chased earlier by these blanket men," she said.
Community members said warring groups from Lesotho were the root of the violence, although it now seems as though people were being targeted regardless of their affiliation.
Gauteng police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said police were still investigating. - moengk@sowetan.co.za
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Memme
Blanket Men???Heish mara ba sleg man...
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Kaylae
Community members said warring groups from Lesotho were the root of the v!olence, although it now seems as though people were being targeted regardless of their affiliation._________________________________________________________________
Ok so these people come from Lesotho and go on a k!ll!ng spree and some might not even have passports whatsoever.since they can be identified,police please make arrests.South Africa has become rotten,k!ll!ngs after k!ll!ngs.
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Ratshufi
But wht i dont understatand is this fools even blocked all the township exit routes was there no one in the community to contact the police?Report Abuse
MommaC
They don't seem to trust the police very much, do they.The yellow blankets? Now how much street cred do you inspire with that name?
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Ratshufi
Do they have horses and those big hats from Lesotho?Report Abuse
Siya5297
Something must be done against these gangs running havoc in our communities, who they inspire to is irrelivant I think.Report Abuse
lindsay
lesotho gangs wear blankets?Report Abuse
Ratshufi
this must be a new gang from lesotho..... i wonder how they shout out he ba fihla....heela ntate ema fela jwaalo eseng jwalo hotla lla kulo...hahahahaReport Abuse
Eraser
shame poor boy, bullet on ur face..Report Abuse
Papage
Blacks with guns, they will never think twice before using them. Stop manufacturing gunsReport Abuse
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