THE heartbreaking story of two innocent people who were killed in Pinetown earlier this month has touched so many people and has prompted police to teach and warn the community about the dangers of mob justice.
Pinetown SAPS communications officer, W/O Muzi Maphumulo said mob justice has become a typical occurrence in communities as this month alone, police have dealt with three cases, one in Pinetown and two in Wyebank.
ALSO READ: Innocent men killed in Pinetown mob attack
“These incidents are not only taking place in Pinetown alone but throughout the country. We as police condemn this kind of behaviour.”
Maphumulo said as much as they appreciate the community’s involvement in fighting crime but people should understand that they are the eyes and ears of police.
“If a person is suspected of a crime, there is a way they should arrest him and hand him over to the police.”
Mob justice gone wrong
On Monday, 4 September, Mlungisi Nxumalo from KwaNdengezi and Lucky Sefali were stabbed and stoned to death after being accused of kidnapping a child in the Pinetown CBD.
The seven year-old child, who is mentally challenged was sitting with Mlungisi waiting for his father when tragedy struck. The child’s dad had just gone to the shops when the child started screaming for him. When Mlungisi tried to calm him down, the boy hit the car window and that is when the bystanders accused Mlungisi of kidnapping the boy.
As for Lucky, a young dad from Klaarwater, his sin was to try and intervene and defend Mlungisi as he knew him but was also attacked and died on scene. He was on his way home from work.
His family only identified Lucky’s body on Wednesday, 6 September as they did not want to consider that he could be one the two men when he did not return home.
The boy’s father also tried to explain to the crowd that he was the dad but he was also attacked and he was very lucky to escape from the crowd.
Community lose trust in police
In most incidents, people have blamed police for taking long to respond and release the suspect after a few days in jail.
Maphumulo said if you hit a person, immediately it turns against you and you end up with a criminal record and in jail.
“If they are not happy about a ruling they should complain through the justice system. Once police arrest a suspect, they appear in court and they have a right to apply and be released on bail.
“When a person is out on bail, it does not mean that the case is closed, cases can go on for months before a person is sentenced.”
ALSO READ: Second Pinetown mob attack victim identified
He said people who are unhappy or puzzled about a decision also have a right to complain to the branch commander, station commander or senior prosecutor.
Pinetown attackers will face justice
Maphumulo said police are working tirelessly to trace the people who were involved in the Pinetown double murder. “We can assure the community that there are people who will be arrested soon regarding that attack.
“What happened in Pinetown was very unfortunate and cruel. So people are no longer suppose to look after a friend’s child because they will be murdered? asked Maphumulo.
He added that people should also work with community policing forum which is in every area to report suspicious activities. To report crime, people should contact Crime Stop on 086 0010 111.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
