Provincial police commissioner warns against vigilantism after mob sets fire to suspects’ huts
Brig Leonard Hlathi said that the police are investigating one case of arson and another of attempted murder.
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MBOMBELA – Two men suspected of having hacked off a 13-year-old boy’s leg with a panga in Athol Trust, near Hazyview, faced an attack by community members, who set their huts on fire.
The Mpumalanga provincial police spokesman, Brig Leonard Hlathi, confirmed the incident and said, “It is alleged that police received information of a child whose leg had been cut off by two men.
“They immediately rushed to the scene and found the boy’s leg amputated.”
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According to Hlathi, the police are investigating cases of arson and attempted murder.
Following the incident, the SAPS provincial commissioner, Lt-Gen Mondli Zuma denounced the attack by the community and cautioned against acts of vigilantism.
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” The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, hereby warns members of the community not to take the law into their own hands.”
Hlathi called on anyone with information which may assist in the investigation to contact Capt France Mhlongo on 072-624-5133, or the SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600-10111.