A 36-year-old school teacher from Mochachaneni Location, Matatiele, has been arrested following allegations that he assaulted a foreign national during a dispute over the installation of a shipping container intended for business use.
Adam Chitje, who teaches at Moiketsie Grave High School and is also regarded as a community leader in the area, was arrested by Avondale police after a Somali national opened a case against him.
Chitje made his first appearance in the Matatiele Magistrate’s Court last week. The matter was postponed to 22 June for a formal bail application.
According to Chitje’s wife, Maphindi, the incident occurred on Monday last week when the Somali national allegedly installed a container on a residential property in Mochachaneni Location without obtaining permission from local residents. The container was reportedly intended to be used as a spaza shop.
Maphindi said Chitje approached the man to ask who had authorized the installation of the container in the area.
“Instead of responding, the foreign national took out his cellphone and started recording a video of Chitje while he was speaking to him,” she said.
She further alleged that Chitje then grabbed the cellphone, leading to a struggle between the two men. Community leaders, including the local headman, as well as other residents, reportedly intervened and separated them.
Following the incident, the Somali national reported the matter to the police, resulting in Chitje’s arrest.
At the time of publication, tensions remained high in the community, with some residents reportedly demanding that the container be removed from the area. It is understood that the owner of the container was seeking transport to facilitate its removal.
Police investigations into the matter are continuing, and the court will determine the outcome of the case.
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