[UPDATE] Police arrest four suspects after man (64) is set alight
The man was earlier accused of his wife's disappearance and death. The police have vowed to to bring those that take the law into their own hands, to justice.
LIMPOPO – The arrest of four people in connection with the mob justice attack on a 64-year-old man on the evening of Wednesday, 28 October. During the incident the man was set alight and two houses at Ngove village in the Giyani policing area were torched. The man is still recovering in hospital.
Preceding the attack, residents from the village had accused him of the murder of his wife, Phosa Egnes Maswanganyi (60), whose body was found hanging from a tree. Maswanganyi was reported missing on Tuesday, 27 October.
Read more: Man (64) set alight after his wife’s body was found hanging in a tree
“Cases of arson and attempted murder were opened and police immediately started with investigations which resulted to the arrest of these suspects, said Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe on Friday.
The four suspects, aged between 36 and 41, are expected to appear in the Giyani Magiatsre’s Court. Investigation still continue and more arrests are expected soon, Ngoepe added.
Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba welcomed these arrests and vowed that the police will continue working around the clock, to bring those that take the law into their own hands, to justice. The situation in the area is currently calm but members of the Public Order Police Unit are still monitoring. Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects, can contact Col Robert Mudau at 082 729 0351.
Read more: Boy (14) killed during mob justice incident in Malamulele
Meanwhile in Masisi, a 41-year-old man was beaten to death by community members who accused him of abusing his partner. Ngoepe said that the mob allegedly dragged the victim to the bushes, assaulted him and left him to die. “He was found a day later and rushed to Pietersburg Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Transport and community Safety MEC, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya has also condemned the recent incidents in Masisi, Gandlanani and Ngove villages. She urged residents to desist from engaging in mob attacks and give law enforcers space to investigate where foul play is suspected.
Read more: Mob justice: 23 arrests made as community torch businessman’s house and 3 vehicles
She added that these violent engagements have delayed progress in some of the cases and have also left a trail of destruction and irreparable damage. “The sporadic incidents of mob justice is a set-back to the good work that our police are doing in cracking some of the complex cases.”
The police have urged anyone with information that can help in any of these investigations, to contact the 24-hour Crime Stop number at 0860010111 or their nearest police station. They can also contact the police via the MySAPSApp.
