The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has condemned in the most strongest terms, the recurring incidents of mob-attacks and killings that are still prevalent in some parts of the Province.
This condemnation by the Provincial Commissioner, follows three separate incidents which occurred between the past weekend and last night on 2018-11-19 in the Westenburg Policing area outside Polokwane, Siloam Policing area outside Thohoyandou and Masemola Policing area outside Lebowakgomo respectively.
The Police in Westenburg have arrested eight (08) suspects for alleged murder following an incident which occurred on 2018-11-17 at about 10:30 in the morning, where one person was allegedly killed by a mob in one of the streets of Disteneng Section.
The preliminary Police investigations have revealed that the deceased was allegedly attacking his mother with a sharp instrument which led to the community members responding in numbers to rescue the woman. The community grabbed this 17-year-old boy and allegedly assaulted him with various objects until he died. Members of the community were also accusing him of a number of criminal activities he allegedly committed for some time.
These suspects will appear before Polokwane Magistrate’s Court today, 20 November 2018, on a charge of murder.
Meanwhile, in the Siloam Policing area, the Police are investigating a case of attempted burglary and assault (mob attack) which occurred in the early hours of 17 November 2018 at about 03:00. During this incident a suspect was allegedly caught attempting to commit a burglary at a house by witnesses who called members of the community for backup instead of calling the Police.
Upon responding, members of the community assaulted this suspect severely with various objects until the Police arrived and rescued him.
He was then arrested, charged with attempted burglary residential. A case of assault was also opened against the mob attack however there are no arrests yet pending Police investigations.
The attempted burglary suspect will appear before the local magistrate’s court soon.
In yet another incident, last night on 19 November 2018 at about 18:30, at Apel Cross in the Masemola Policing area, three (03) suspected stock thieves were stopped and apprehended by a group of community members while transporting eight (08) cattle in a van with a trailer.
Instead of the community calling the Police, they brutally assaulted the suspects and further attempted to burn them alive with tyres until they were rescued by the Police who were conducting routine patrol duties.
The injured suspects were taken to hospital with serious injuries while one is in a critical condition. The suspects will later be processed accordingly in terms of the allegations of possession of suspected stolen livestock against them.
The origin of this livestock is still being determined through ongoing Police investigations.
Cases of assaults were opened for police investigations and there are no arrests.
Members of community are warned to refrain from taking the law into their own hands, “The Police must be given a space to deal with any criminal act without them resorting to violence which is totally uncalled for, ” Concluded General Ledwaba.