LIMPOPO – Waterval Police Spokesperson, Const Cynthia Ndou confirmed a young man was stoned to death before being set alight in Mpheni near Louis Trichardt.
It is believed the deceased fled the scene after he attempted to rob a Somalian businessman on Sunday evening when he was apprehend by an angry mob who forced him to undress and eat raw meat before stoning him. The deceased seems to have been a foreign national and people knew him only as “Teacher”.
Ndou said a murder case was opened and no arrests have been made as of yet and investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Police say instances of mob justice has increased exponentially in the Vhembe District in recent months and they are pleading with communities not to take the law into their own hands.
Three weeks ago, a man was pelted with stones in the Thohoyandou central business district (CBD) after attempting to rob a woman. Police responded swiftly in this instance after the man had been badly beaten and he was treated for his wounds at the Tshilidzini Hospital. Instances in Tshirolwe and Madombidzha near Louis Trichardt have also been reported.
ANC Provincial Secretary, Nocks Seabi said the ANC believes that where communities have suspects in any criminal activity, the community should provide evidence to the police for investigation, arrest and prosecution.
“We must allow the law to take its full course and not take the law into our own hands,” he said.
Safety and Security MEC, Joyce Mashamba is concerned about mob justice attacks rearing its head across the province.
“I am calling on the community to exercise faithful patriotism to the legislation of this country by not committing awful activities such as mob justice,” she said.
Read more:
Man stoned to death in Atok
‘Love triangle’ leads to CBD shooting
Several injured during attack on pastors, congregation
Two in court for murder of local brothers
Police investigates death of boy (4), arson attack
