At the time of going to print yesterday (Wednesday) it was not yet clear whether a man, the victim of a third incident of mob justice in Polokwane in one week, survived the ordeal after allegedly being attacked by a group of angry community members the previous night.
Polokwane Observer arrived on the scene on the corner of Landdros Maré and Hospital streets soon after the incident occurred where a man was allegedly assaulted by a gang of angry community members. A big wound to his head and medium size stones were evident of mob justice. Two wallets were also seen lying next to him.
According to people gathering on the scene angry community members were chasing two men when the one was apprehended and allegedly assaulted. The other one ran away. It was also told that an ambulance stopped on the scene but left when the attackers turned on the emergency personnel. Meanwhile six suspects have been arrested by Westenburg Police in connection with mob justice and the killing of 28-year-old Tebatso Seshoka in Ext 71A last Wednesday evening. “It is alleged that the mob entered the victim’s house and dragged him outside where he was stoned to death. The motive for the killing is not yet known,” Provincial Police Spokesperson Moatshe Ngoepe said. He added that the six suspects were still in custody and would appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court again on Monday.
Ngoepe could not confirm whether any arrests were made yet in the case in which a Nigerian man was allegedly killed by a mob last week Tuesday afternoon. The man and an alleged accomplice were attacked by angry community members on the corner of Thabo Mbeki and Dahl streets. He escaped wearing only his socks and underpants but collapsed in Hoof Street and died on the scene. A second victim allegedly escaped unharmed.
Ngoepe warned the community to refrain from taking the law into their own hands. “The arrest of the six suspects is a clear message that the Police will leave no stone unturned until every person involved are behind bars,” he said.
Story and photo: RC Myburgh
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Featured photo: The unknown man was critically injured after being attacked by an angry mob Tuesday evening. He is the third victim of mob justice in one week in Polokwane.