They claim that both the police and the entire criminal justice system are failing residents of this crime-ridden township at every turn.
The woman who was brutally murdered and killed during a robbery on Sunday night, July 7.
Police found Ellen Oliphant’s body lying in a pool of blood in her house.
Police believe the suspect killed the elderly woman by hitting her with a brick before strangling her, in what appears to be a robbery.
According to one of the community leaders, who requested to remain anonymous, a group of terrified residents have recently approached one of the community leaders, a pastor, and warned that they are about to carry out an attack on the murder suspect.
The release of the suspect from custody after he was arrested for the murder is a subject that has aroused a lot of anger among residents.
They were said to have told the pastor that if the police and the justice system fail to protect elderly people in this small township, then residents have no choice but to take the law into their own hands.
However, even though it cannot be proven that the angry residents were involved, the murder suspect received a vicious beating, on Sunday, July 14.
Sgt Mashudu Phathela confirmed that the suspect was released from custody after the court struck the matter off the roll, due to lack of evidence.
However, Phathela assures residents that police are working very hard to have the case reinstated, as they are busy collecting more evidence.
Phathela also warns that anyone who takes the law into their own hands runs a great risk of being arrested.
Attempt to reach the pastor and the angry residents were unsuccessful.
The man was charged with murder and made his first court appearance on Tuesday, July 9, but was subsequently released.
