Limpopo SAPS arrest eight suspects for triple murder outside Lebowakgomo
Provincial SAPS commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe welcomed the arrests and issued a stern warning to community members who take the law into their own hands that the police will hunt them down and bring them to book.
UPDATE
LIMPOPO – Provincial police have arrested eight men in connection with the triple murder in Ga-Maila village outside Lebowakgomo on (Monday January 24).
The suspects reportedly kidnapped and murdered the three men after they accused them of stock theft.
According to earlier police reports the suspects had kidnapped the three deceased and another man just after midnight. The three men were later beaten to death while the fourth man managed to escape.
A a 72-hour activation plan was activated and the suspects, aged between 39 and 64, were arrested.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the men appeared in the Sekhukhune Magistrate’s Court on Monday (January 31) and were remanded in custody until Friday (February 4) for bail application.
The accused each face four counts of kidnapping and three counts of murder.
Provincial SAPS commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe welcomed the arrests and issued a stern warning to community members who take the law into their own hands that the police will hunt them down and bring them to book.
January 25
LIMPOPO – Provincial police have launched a 72-hour activation plan to hunt down the people responsible for a mob justice incident that claimed the lives of three men.
The incident happened at Ga-Maila village outside Lebowakgomo on (Monday January 24).
In a statement, police spokesperson Brigadier Motlaflea Mojapelo said it is alleged local residents had accused the three deceased and another man of stealing their livestock. “All four men were kidnapped just after midnight and three of the men were beaten to death. The fourth man managed to escape,” he said.
The deceased, aged between 50 and 70, were identified as Jikisa Phokane, Kwena Makwana and Sedibana Makwana.
The police were notified about the attack and a manhunt was launched for the attackers.
Provincial SAPS commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe condemned the incident and ordered the implementation of the 72-hour activation plan.
“These acts of vigilantism and lawlessness will not be tolerated and the SAPS will not rest until all the perpetrators are brought to book.”
She added that a team of investigators has been assembled and all the relevant resources and the neighbouring police stations in the Sekhukhune District have been activated to assist in the hunt.
The police urged anyone with information about the incident to contact the investigating officer, Colonel Mahlathini Ngele on 082 573 3645. Alternatively they can contact the 24-hour Crime Stop number on 086 001 0111, use the MySAPSApp or visit their nearest police station.
