CAPE TOWN- Three suspects were beaten and stoned to death by an angry mob for allegedly stealing and robbing people in different areas.
The three men were attacked in Social Distance informal settlement Mfuleni on Monday after they were allegedly found with several stolen items. One suspect was declared deceased on the scene, another died on the way to hospital, while the third suspect was receiving medical treatment.
Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk said a double murder and attempted murder was being investigated but no arrests had been made.
“Mfuleni police received a complaint of an assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm in progress at Mjikelo Street, Bardale Informal Settlement in Mfuleni at about 3.30pm, Monday afternoon. Upon arrival they found three unknown males laying on the ground with severe open wounds to their bodies. According to reports, the three suspects were assaulted by an unknown group of community members, who alleged that the victims committed theft at a house, unknown at this stage,” Van Wyk said.
An eye-witness, who asked not to be named for fear of victimisation added: “They were seen with stolen items, when they were questioned they denied that they stole these things. People came out in numbers to see for themselves only to find all of the items belonged to the residents, they were then taken to their houses to only find more stolen items. Still, they denied everything and that is when the community got angry and they were beaten up for denying everything even though people identified the stolen items,” said the witness.
Community leader Zolani Manyiki said police were failing to arrest the alleged suspects, that’s why residents took the matter into their hands.
“These are known thieves, they have been stealing people’s things for a long time. One of them in the past was seen with a stolen sound system when he was questioned he ran away. It was discovered that the system belonged to an old lady. She was not at her house at the time he stole the system. We have reported these three to the police many times but they hide away once they know that they have been reported and come back a week after when everyone is calm. Residents had no choice but to take the law into their hands because they are being terrorized almost every week,” said Manyiki.
Anyone with information surrounding the incident can anonymously contact Crime Stop at 086 0010 111 or SMS Crime Line at 32211
Cape Times