Following the deaths of two Free State men, and the serious injuries sustained by two others, police have issued a severe warning on the consequences of mob justice.
“The police are sternly warning communities about acts of mob justice after assault and arson cases were reported from two districts in the Free State,” says Sgt Mahlomola Kareli, police spokesperson of the province.
On Tuesday, 27 September, patrolling police members were stopped by a motorist in Thabong who had seen a man lying on the ground in Tlali Street, near Thabong Clinic.
The police went to the scene and found a male victim who had sustained serious head injuries and was unable to speak. “Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim was assaulted by community members who alleged that he was trying to steal chairs at one of the establishments,” says Kareli.
No arrests have been made in connection with this assault.
In another incident which occurred in Paballong Village in Phuthaditjhaba, the police arrested seven suspects after three young males were attacked in their mud house in the village. The community accused the men of crimes in the area.
“It is alleged that one of the young boys was arrested for burglary and later released. the community was unhappy and attacked him. Three youths were beaten with a sjambok, and their mud house was set alight. One died at the scene, the second succumbed to injuries while in hospital. The third is in hospital under police guard,” says Kareli.
The seven suspects have been charged with murder and arson.
The Free State acting provincial commissioner, Maj. Gen. Solly Lesia, said they are appealing to community members to stop taking the law into their own hands. “Mob justice cannot and will never be an answer to our crime. Perpetrators of mob justice will be arrested. Mob justice incidents lead to more cases such as arson, murder, attempted murder and kidnapping. Cases are opened against community members who are implicated in mob-justice. We urge the community to rather report any criminal acts or suspicious people to the police to allow the law to take its course,” said Lesia.
If anything illegal is observed, contact the nearest police station on 08600-10111, emergency number 112 or drop an anonymous tip via the MySAPS app.
