EASTERN CAPE – The Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga has strongly condemned the incident of Mob attack which took place Thursday night at about 21:00 on the 12-12-2019 at Tshatshatsha Locality in Qhumanco Administrative Area, Engcobo.

According to the reports, a 24-year-old man went to the homestead of the 63-year-old elderly woman assaulted her in an attempt to commit rape. On realizing that he was being overpowered, the suspect who is now deceased ran away and disappeared in the village. The elderly woman raised the alarm in the village and the community responded swiftly, mobilised and started tracking the suspect.

Having found the suspect, the unknown villagers started assaulting, necklacing with a tyre and set him alight until he died at the scene. Police have registered a case of Murder against the suspects and Attempted Rape on the 63 year old elderly woman. No arrest has been made at this stage.

Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga strongly condemned the act of vigilantism and ordered an immediate investigation against those involved. People must learn to respect the rule of law. Yes, we understand the anger which is provoked by incidents of crime happening within the communities, however mob attack cannot be acceptable as a solution to deal with these. Taking law into your own hands constitute a criminal offence and is punishable by law. We therefore encourage people to report crime to the police who are trained to handle any crime situation General Ntshinga concluded.

Source: South African Police Service