2 people stoned, burned to death in Limpopo
Two counts of murder and malicious damage to property are being investigated following the mob justice incident, says the police
LIMPOPO – The police are looking for a group of people who stoned and burned two people, torched two vehicles and broke all the windows of a six room-house in Sekopung Legabeng section in the Mecklenburg policing precinct yesterday (Sunday).
The victims have been identified as 75-year-old James Malapane and 25-year-old Doctor Maile.
According to a statement issued by Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, it is alleged the community gathered to discuss the disappearance of Kgadi Dibakwana (17) of Sekopung village who was last seen with one of the deceased, Doctor Maila. The girl was alleged to have accompanied Maile to collect money he owed the girl’s family.
When asked where the missing girl was, Maile told community members she was with the other deceased, Malapane. Maile was then marched to Malapane’s house and when the girl was not found, an angry group of residents started stoning both men and set them alight. They then went on to torch Malapane’s two vehicles and smashed the windows of his house.
Nine family members, including two of Malapane’s wives escaped unhurt.
Brigadier Mojapelo says these acts of vigilantism and mob justice must be condemned in the strongest terms possible. Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba gave assurance that the police will hunt down the people responsible and bring them to book. “We cannot allow communities to continue adopting this trajectory of taking the law into their hands. Anybody who took part in this brutal attack will be dealt with mercilessly,” said General Ledwaba.
Anyone with information is requested to contact Lieutenant Colonel Ngele at 0712106628.
