A balaclava-clad gang has been terrorising some communities on the West Rand, leaving a trail of destruction and forcing at least 10 families to flee their homes.
Known as Marashea, the gang is believed to be made up of people from Lesotho who are identified by blankets they wear over their shoulders. The gang has been targeting a number of areas, including Mohlakeng and Purification Farm in Randfontein.
At least one person was killed and another injured when the group went from house to house in a small complex which accommodated Rand West municipality employees, robbing people of their belongings at Purification Farm on June 15.
They demanded electronic gadgets and cash from the homeowners.
The houses are now vacant and none of the families is planning to go back there.
To add to their frustrations, residents accused police of not doing anything.
Slain 39-year-old Peter Ramolete's wife, Sophie, said she has since moved back to Limpopo with their two children due to the recent attack.
“Our houses were surrounded by more than 15 armed men. The group forced their way inside our homes and demanded money and cellphones.
“We gave them what we had but they still shot my husband for no reason. My husband did not fight back or objected to the group’s instructions but they still killed him,” said the distraught unemployed mother.
She is now left to raise their two children on her own.
“I want to go back to the house but I can't go back alone with the kids. I fear the group might return and I won't be able to protect myself.
“All the neighbours in our complex have left because of this group.”
Ramolete was employed as a meter reader.
Phillip Moatshe, who sustained a bullet wound in the leg during the attack, said: “I was shot in the leg when I tried to flee my house. The group then dragged me back into the house and demanded cash.
“We have opened a case of murder, assault and robbery but we have not heard anything from the police. The municipality is aware of our situation and has not assisted us with any temporary accommodation.”
Moatshe said he had moved back to Tembisa.
“I will only go back when the municipality provides security for us,” Moatshe said.
The affected families said they raised their safety concerns with the municipality and the police but nothing has been done.
Another resident, Charlene Hennie, said she called police after their house was attacked but they arrived late.
“Honestly speaking, it was useless to call them that day because I called at 7.35pm, they came at 10.45pm.
“I've been sleeping on two pensioners' kitchen floor [somewhere else] since the incident happened. We are all scared to go back to the house,” Hennie, a mother of four, said.
Municipal spokesperson Godfrey Moutloali said there was a plan to relocate the workers to a safer area.
“The issue of Marashea is a general problem in the West Rand district. We have met with provincial police in a bid to address this challenge. A solid strategy will be implemented soon to resolve raised concerns,” said Moutloali.
The group is also believed to be involved in illegal mining operations.
Community leader Jimmy Mokolobate said the municipality and the police were made aware about crimes allegedly committed by the gang three years ago.
According to Mokolobate, Mohlakeng residents submitted a grievance letter to the Rand West municipal office, the office of Gauteng community safety and provincial police, seeking improved policing in their area.
“Within the last three years, we have noticed a rise in violent crimes such as business robbery, murder and car hijacking. Crimes are committed in broad daylight and they are mainly committed by Marashea. Police always reach the crime scenes very late,” said Mokolobate.
Tavern owner Stich Dikobe is one of the businesses in Mohlakeng that was recently robbed at gunpoint by men wearing blankets and balaclavas.
Dikobe said the armed group walked inside the tavern and demanded money and cellphones from the owner and patrons.
The matter was reported to the police but no-one has been arrested.
“Crime is out of hand in Mohlakeng. The rolling blackouts are also making things very difficult for many businesses. We are now forced to close early because we fear that we might be targeted by Marashea in the dark,” said Dikobe.
While no-one can pinpoint where the gang resides, many residents said the group has settled in the old mine dumps and others have moved in at Mohlakeng Madala Hostel.
Some within the community accuse locals of renting out their backyard rooms to Marashea as a source of income.
“The problem in Rand West is that we are not united. We are all aware of the problems caused by Marashea but we are not confronting the problem,” said Mohlakeng resident Luzuko Sibandze.
“Instead we are looking at the police and the government to resolve something that directly affects us on daily basis.”
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