Police ordered to ‘hunt down the lawless’
Residents from Masisi, on Tuesday evening, stormed the police station demanding the release of the 19 suspects who were arrested for the murder a local traditional healer and three others.
LIMPOPO – Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba has condemned yet another mob attack in the Vhembe district and said the police will be ‘relentless in hunting down all those who participated in this violence’. The latest attack happened on Tuesday evening, several hours after the police arrested 19 suspects for the brutal murder of four men at Mutele village.
Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo explained that an angry crowd stormed the Masisi Police Station, demanding the release of the arrested suspects. During the incident the crowd threw stones at the building and officers. Public Order Police (POP) members were called to the scene and had to use rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. One person was arrested and charged with public violence and malicious damage to property, Mojapleo said.
This follows the murder of four men during a mob justice attack on Monday evening. “It is alleged the residents had accused the victims of being involved in the disappearance of a man who was reported missing last week after visiting his relatives in the area. Subsequently, the residents went to the homestead of the traditional healer and torched his home and two vehicles. Thereafter they forced the healer, his son and two others to the bushes where they were stoned and set alight.”
https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/454880/mob-justice-in-thohyandou-19-face-murder-charges-following-attack-on-traditional-healer/
The victims were identified as Mutshutshu Munyai (59), his son Mushanganyisi Munyai (24), Maphanda Thakhani (26) and Mudzhelele Muvhango (38).
The suspects were arrested the following day. They are expected to appear in the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 4 February. They each face four counts of murder, arson and malicious damage to property.
“We condemn this violence that is clearly aimed at bringing about lawlessness in the area. Community members must desist from taking the law into their own hands and instead assist the police in the investigation,” Ledwaba concluded.
Makhesha is still missing and the police urges anyone with information about his whereabouts, to Warrant Officer Madimabe Mhlavheni at 082 414 2481, the 24-hour Crime stop number at 0860010111 or the nearest police station.
Mojapelo added that more arrests in both matters are still expected.
