Limpopo police condemn ‘mob-related’ incidents in Apel and Mecklenburg
Saps Provincial Commissioner Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba has once again condemned acts of vigilantism and mob-justice following the brutal murder of two men in Apel outside Lebowakgomo and the torching of a mine manager's house outside Burgersfort on Monday evening.
LIMPOPO – In Apel at around 20:30, the two middle-aged men were brutally attacked and beaten by local residents who allegedly accused them of being burglars. Thereafter the injured men were dropped off a few meters away from the local health centre and later transferred to the hospital for further medical treatment. They were both certified dead on arrival, Police Spokesperson, Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe reported.
The motive behind this incident is not clear at this stage but mob-attack or vigilantism may not be ruled out, said Ngoepe.
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Meanwhile in the Mecklenburg Policing area outside Burgersfort, a house belonging a local mine manager was torched during a mob-justice related incident on Monday evening at around 21:00.
It is alleged a group of local residents from at Mandagshoek village torched the house and fled into the darkness. All the house contents were destroyed in the blaze and the estimate damage in valued at over R800 000, confirmed Ngoepe.
The motive behind this incident is not clear at this stage and no arrests have been affected as yet. A case of arson is being investigated by the Mecklenburg Police.
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Anyone with information which can lead to the arrest of the suspects from either incident as well as help in the identification process of the two deceased in the Apel incident, is urged to contact Captain Richard Boshomane at 079 894 5501. Alternatively they can contact the 24-hour crime stop number 0860010111, the crime line sms 32211 or the nearest Police Station.
Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba further urged residents not to take the law into their own hands. “Taking the law into one’s own hands is always a serious transgression of the Laws of this Country including the community Policing principles and as such, it must be condemned with the most strongest possible terms. The senseless and barbaric acts which are still taking place in some parts of this province, must stop abruptly in the spirit of partnership Policing and community Policing and for those who are still closing their ears, the Police are going to deal with them mercilessly and without compromise,” concluded General Ledwaba.
