By Christinah Motlhabane

Copyright thevoicebw

Cigarette thieves ‘smoked’ by the mob

Cigarettes are bad for your health – just ask four suspected thieves from Tatisiding!

The quartet of Mompati John, Kagiso Ditshamekelo, Meshack Morapedi and Lesedi Moeng learnt the hard way that crime doesn’t pay, subjected to a severe thrashing by furious residents for their alleged sticky fingers.

The violent act of vigilante justice played out in Newstance ward last Wednesday (3 September), when the four men allegedly attempted to rob one Mosa Mpofu in the middle of the day.

The suspects are said to have stalked the Zimbabwean street-vendor all the way from Francistown bus rank to Tatisiding, where they pounced, snatching a carton of Chelsea cigarettes worth P1, 400 as well as a cell phone valued at P2, 600.

However, Mpofu’s screams for help were answered, with a mob swiftly descending on the four, leaving them a bloody, cowering mess.

Appearing before court the next day looking worse for wear, their faces bruised and swollen, clothes ripped and blood-stained, the four were charged with robbery and remanded in custody.

Give the chance to address court, Morapedi protested his innocence, insisting he had no idea what the other three had planned.

“I was merely hired to provide transport and was not involved in the robbery. I’m requesting bail so I return the taxi to its owner,” he told court.

It was not enough to secure his immediate freedom, with court sending all four to prison – a place where cigarettes are in huge demand!

The group is due back in court for mention this Thursday, 11 September.