By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Gauteng Police Commissioner Elias Mawela says they’re working around the clock, to apprehend those who killed 7 people in suspected vigilante attacks in Diepsloot township.
On Friday night, a mob in the Johannesburg north township reportedly chased and killed seven people in two separate incidents.
In Extension 12, five bodies were discovered piled together, while two more bodies were found in Extension 13.
An alert over two “burned bodies” was raised late Friday night, said Mawela.
“Preliminary investigation suggests that in both incidents, the victims were assaulted and burned by the mob, he added.”
The bodies of the five men, all aged about 20, were found on a pile of bricks on wasteland in the town.
Mawela said no motive for the killings had been confirmed but commented that police “strongly condemn acts of vigilantism and the community taking the law into their own hands, as that constitutes a serious criminal offense.”
Meanwhile police in Hlogotlou have arrested a murder and kidnapping suspect following an incident of apparent mob justice which played out last week at Vleeischboom.
According to police, angry community members in the area went to the murder victim’s residence on Thursday, 30 November at around 10pm.
“This is after allegations that a 16-year-old boy raped a toddler-girl at the age of three years. They alleged that on the same day, on Thursday, 30 November 2023, during the day, the suspect took the child to his residence while she was playing at the streets with other children. He then raped the child. A rape case was also opened for investigation,” said police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba.
The police were notified about the kidnapping of the alleged rape suspect. They reacted and managed to rescue him from the angry mob. He was severely injured and transported to the local hospital.
The suspect died at the hospital the following day. He was identified as Kagiso Tshwaane.
“Police opened murder and kidnapping cases. A manhunt was launched, and one of the suspects was traced and arrested. More arrests are expected at this stage,” Mashaba added.
The arrested suspect will appear before Nebo Regional Court for murder and kidnapping.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact the Detective Sergeant Manganye on 060-624-3383 or crime stop number on 08600 10111 or nearest police station or the MySAPS app.