Mob justice: 23 arrests made as community torch businessman’s house and 3 vehicles
Residents of Gandlanani village in Giyani accused a businessman and his employees of being responsible for the disappearance of 25-year-old, Mahlori Maluleka.
LIMPOPO – The police have arrested 23 people and more arrests are expected, after an act of mob justice by residents of Gandlanani village in Giyani. Residents went on rampage on Sunday morning by torching the properties of a businessman and two of his employees, according to Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo.
Mojapelo said in a statement that the community accused the men of being responsible for the disappearance of 25-year-old Mahlori Maluleka, who was reported missing on Friday, 8 August.
Mojapelo explained that the residents reportedly consulted a sangoma, who pointed out that these three men were responsible. “The community cornered one of the businessman’s employees (52) and thereafter gathered at the local soccer ground. They assaulted, burnt and dragged him to the house belonging to the businessman’s mother where they torched it, together with three vehicles which were parked inside the garage. No one else was harmed,” added Mojapelo.
The residents did not stop there according to Mojapelo. “They moved to the businessman’s residence and pelted his double story house with stones, damaging the electric fence and some property. The angry mob continued with the attack and burned the house belonging to the other employee (51). On the way to a brick yard owned by this businessman, they came across one of his vehicles and torched it. The driver managed to escape unharmed,” he explained.
Mojapelo said police arrived after the brick yard had already burnt. One person was severely injured and taken to hospital. “The Public Order Policing (POPs) with assistance from the Airwing were able to stabilise the situation. The arrested suspects will face charges of attempted murder, arson and malicious damage to property. The search for the remaining suspects continues,” Mojapelo said.
The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Gen Nneke Ledwaba, has condemned the incident, saying communities are urged to assist police in searching for the missing person instead of taking the law into their own hands. “We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the vigilante actions manifested by the community of Gamdlanani village and nothing will be left to chance when hunting down the remaining culprits,” he said.
Anyone with information is requested to contact Col Anna Mzimbha at 082 510 0177, the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or the nearest police station.
