LIMPOPO – Cases of kidnapping, murder and mob justice were opened after the police were alerted by the community of a suspected cable thief that was found dead at the Lwamondo-Badama sports grounds on Thursday, acting Vhembe police spokesperson, Sgt Vuledzani Dathi confirmed.
Dathi said when the police arrived, they found the slightly burnt, but lifeless body of a male person later identified as Neo Davhana (28), amid objects including rocks and sticks.
“Preliminary police investigations revealed that the deceased was forcefully taken by a group of people from his home at around 02:00 when they accused him of committing crimes in the village. The suspects had not yet been identified, and no arrests have been made yet, but our investigations continue,” said Dathi.
He appealed to anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects, to contact the police’s investigation officer, W/O Mugudubi at 072 981 6478 or 015 961 7000.
A villager who did not want to be named, told CV that the communities in and around Lwamondo were tired of the power cuts brought on by those who steal cables. “That man was identified as one of the suspects, and this left the community angry. They wanted him to explain the crimes happening in the village.”
He said he hoped the way in which the suspect had been treated would send a message to criminals. “Crime doesn’t pay and people found committing crime will be dealt with accordingly.”
When CV visited the Davhana family in Lwamondo-Badama village at their RDP house, they too had been staying in the dark as cables had been stolen in their area.
The deceased’s mother, Mususumeli Davhana said life was tough after the passing of her son. On the morning of the incident, she was awakened by those wanting entry into her RDP house, she told CV, and that a group of people threatened her should her son not come out of the house.
“Now I am afraid that they would kill me too. Although my child used to commit crimes, I was left upset that the morning because I knew it was the last time I would see him alive. They, however, did not find him stealing anything, and yet, they killed him.”
Provia Davhana, the deceased’s younger sister said she was shocked to hear of her brother’s death on social media. “I suspected that there was a vendetta against him, as those people also threatened my mother. Now, my brother is dead, and we will never see him again. We hope that the culprits will be dealt with.”
