North West Provincial Commissioner condemns alleged mob justice incidents

POTCHEFSTROOM: The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena condemns in the strongest possible terms the alleged killing of a male, assault of another and torching of a minibus on what appears to be mob justice incidents on Saturday, 13 February 2021 in Segwaelane village, in the policing area of Mooinooi near Brits.
According to information available at this stage, reports suggest that police were summoned at about 23:40 to a scene in Segwaelane village main road where on arrival, they found a man who was severely assaulted. Despite being threatened, the police managed to successfully rescue the man and a woman from a group of people that had barricaded the road and was heavily armed with sticks, pangas and knobkerries. Due to the volatile situation including throwing of stones towards the police, back-up was called. Subsequent to arrival of Public Order Police (POP) with an armoured vehicle, the police proceeded to a Toyota Quantum minibus, which was burning. To their dismay, they found the body of a male burnt beyond recognition in the minibus.
The motive of the incidents is yet to be determined although unconfirmed reports suggest that the victims are accused of several and recent incidents of house robbery and house breakings allegedly committed in the village. Preliminary investigation revealed that all the victims are Bekkersdal residents from Gauteng Province. At this stage, cases of murder, malicious damage to property and assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH) have been opened for investigation and no arrest has been effected.
Lieutenant General Sello Kwena reiterated that lawlessness and disrespect for the rule of law cannot be condoned. Furthermore, he urged the public to refrain from unlawful acts, including taking the law into their own hands, but to report all suspected criminal activities to the police or to recognised and legal structures such as Community Police Forum (CPF).

Source: South African Police Service

Recent Posts