POLOKWANE – The Provincial Commissioner of the Police Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba has condemned the recurring incidents of mob-attacks and killings that are still prevalent in some parts of the Province with the most strongest terms.
This condemnation comes after eight suspects were arrested in connection with the murder of a 17-year-old boy in the streets of Disteneng section outside Polokwane at around 10:30 on Saturday 17 November. It is alleged the mob attacked the deceased after he was seen attacking his mother with sharp instruments, said Police spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe.
“Preliminary Police investigations have revealed that the deceased was allegedly attacking his mother with a sharp instrument which led to local residents responding in numbers to rescue the woman. “During the incident the residents grabbed the 17-year-old boy and assaulted him with various objects until he died.”
According to residents the deceased is linked to several criminal activities and has been terrorising the community for some time.
The eight suspects will appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court today (Tuesday, 20 November), on a charge of murder.
This incident is one of three which occurred in the province over the past weekend.
Read more: Seshego man beaten to death by mob after attacking his wife and child (1) with sharp object
In the Siloam Policing area, the Police are investigating a case of attempted burglary and assault (mob attack) which occurred at around 03:00 on Saturday 17 November.
Ngoepe explained that during this incident a suspect was caught attempting to commit burglary in the house whereby the witnesses called residents from the community for backup instead of calling the Police.
“Upon responding, the mob assaulted the suspect severely with various objects until the Police arrived and rescued and arrested him.”
A case of assault was also opened against the mob but there is no arrest yet pending Police investigations. The suspect will appear before the local magistrate court soon on a charge of attempted burglary, Ngoepe added.
The latest incident occurred at Apel Cross in the Masemola Policing area at around 18:30 on Monday, 19 November.
Read more: Police shooting sparks mob attack outside Giyani
“It is alleged three suspected stock thieves, who were transporting suspected stolen live stock were stopped and apprehended by a local residents. Instead of the community calling the Police, they brutally assaulted the suspects and further attempted to burn them alive with tyres until they were rescued by Police officers who were conducting their patrol duties nearby.”
The three suspects sustained serious injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The one suspect is in a critical condition, Ngoepe said.
The suspects will later be processed accordingly in terms of the allegations of possession of suspected stolen stock against them and the origin of this livestock (eight heads of cattle) is still being determined by the ongoing Police investigations.
Cases of assaults were opened against the mob but there is no arrest yet.
General Ledwaba concluded by saying that the public are warned to refrain from taking the law into their own hands, “The Police must be given a space to deal with any criminal act without them resorting to violence which is totally uncalled for.”
