R50k reward for ‘missing’ man
Farmers believe alleged murder victim is alive; fund set up to find him
A group of North West farmers has raised R50 000 for any information on the whereabouts of a 24-year-old man who police believe was shot and killed two months ago.
The fund was set up after the Brits Magistrate’s Court denied 24-year-old Matthew Benson bail on Friday in his murder and attempted murder case linked to the disappearance of Tebogo Ndlovu.
“People have seen the so-called deceased [Ndlovu] in Majakaneng and Bapong. This man is alive. People are afraid to hand him over to the police because he is part of the Suicide Gang,” said Marianna, one of the people who helped set up the fund.
“I have decided to put out a reward hoping that someone will secretly give us his exact location then we will trace him and take him to court.”
Marianna did not want to provide her surname, however she is the mother of Benson’s girlfriend.
“The police have failed to do their job, that is why we are taking matters into our own hands to help an innocent man [Benson],” she said.
Marianna and other community members believe the Suicide Gang is a group of young men involved in criminal activities and a man who identifies himself as “Tebogo Ndlovu Jack Jack” on Facebook is part of the group. Those offering the reward believe this man to be the same man Benson is accused of murdering.
TimesLIVE contacted “Jack Jack” yesterday and he was surprised to hear about the murder mystery.
“It’s the first time I hear of this case. I have never been to the North West and I don’t even know of a place called Majakaneng. Maybe we have the same name but I am not the person they are looking for,” said Jack Jack.
He said he was based in Mpumalanga and the Suicide Gang is a hip-hop dance group.
Ndlovu, from Majakaneng, was last seen on August 2 and his family believe he has been killed.
“It’s the first time I hear about the Suicide Gang. There is no such thing in Majakaneng. People must stop lying. The past two months have been painful for us. All we need is our child’s body,” said Ndlovu’s aunt, Nancy Sekgobela.
Ndlovu was with two friends when they allegedly went to steal oranges from a farm owned by Benson’s parents. They were allegedly spotted by Benson, who allegedly fired in their direction, injuring Ndlovu.
Ndlovu’s two surviving friends claim they left Ndlovu at the Mooinooi farm as they fled the scene.
Benson was arrested on September 16 following several interviews with the police. On the day of his arrest, Benson was supposed to celebrate his girlfriend’s 21st birthday, Marianna said.
She said the case changed their lives and confirmed that she personally contributed R10 000 to the reward fund.
The other amount has been contributed by friends, family and members of the public.