eShowe robbery suspect killed by angry residents
The vigilante attacks have been condemned by police and the local ward councillor
A ROBBER was killed and another rushed to Ngwelezana Hospital in critical condition when they were attacked by community members shortly after a business robbery at KwaNomyaca Reserve outside eShowe on Sunday.
The two suspects were part of an armed gang who robbed a local supermarket.
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According to reports, the supermarket owner was busy off-loading stock from his bakkie when he was confronted by four men.
Two suspects went inside the shop and grabbed cash and boxes which they thought contained money.
When the robbers realised there were only sweets inside the boxes, they dropped them and fled the scene.
The source said that when the owner screamed for help, scores of residents rushed to his rescue before the police arrived.
They chased the suspects and caught two of them.
One was stabbed and stoned to death, while his accomplice survived the attack and was rushed to hospital by the police.
‘We were living in fear because of these suspects who have been tormenting us for too long. They break down doors and rob us at gunpoint,’ the source said.
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Ward 25 councillor, Goodman Biyela, said criminal activities had become a daily occurrence in his ward.
‘Crime has reached its peak here. People are mugged and robbed in their homes. I don’t support what the community did, even though they are extremely frustrated,’ he said.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Thembeka Mbhele, said the deceased was identified as Nhlakanipho Khoza (30).
‘The second suspect is under police guard at Ngwelezana Hospital. Police recovered an unlicensed firearm from the deceased.’
Mbhele added that the police arrested two more suspects shortly after the incident.
They were both charged for business robbery and appeared in the eShowe Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
They were remanded in police custody for further investigation.
‘They are expected to reappear in the same court next Wednesday for a formal bail application,’ Mbhele said.
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