Following a mob justice incident, nine people, including foreign nationals, were arrested in Mmamahabane, Ventersburg for possession of suspected stolen property, illicit cigarettes, and illegal immigration.
On 17 January the Welkom Public Order Policing members were deployed in Ventersburg to bring an unrest situation under control.
“The unit was busy with crime combatting duties when they received a complaint about mob justice,” says Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the Lejweleputswa police.
Thakeng says the community members were assaulting a 37-year-old man for housebreaking.
“He then took the police to the place where he has sold the suspected stolen items,” says Thakeng.
The nine suspects were then arrested for possession of suspected stolen property, illicit cigarettes and illegal immigration.
The police members seized six 50W spotlights, two 20W flash LED spotlights, 80 boxes of Sahawi, Savanah, Ossum and RG branded cigarettes, a drill and a grinder.
“The community must refrain from mob justice, and they must never take the law into their own hands. People who take law into their own hands will face the might of the law,” cautions Thakeng.
