The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has condemned in the strongest possible terms the continuous acts of mob-attacks and killings which are still prevailing in some parts this Province.

This condemnation by the Provincial Commissioner follows the two separate incidents which took place in the Thohoyandou and Makhado Clusters in the past days.

It is alleged that yesterday, 4 April 2018 at about13:30 in Tshino location outside Thohoyandou, a group of community members cornered three suspected criminals along the street accusing them of being responsible for the spate of burglaries, house robberies as well as rapes in and around the area. They assaulted them with various objects, instantly killing one of them. The other two victims sustained serious injuries and they were taken to the hospital for medical treatment. The Police in Thohoyandou have opened a case of murder, two counts of attempted murder and public violence.

Meanwhile in the Waterval Policing area outside Makhado, it is alleged that a group of community members in Njakanjaka village mobilized themselves complaining about the alleged gangsters who are terrorising them by stealing their properties and breaking in their spaza shops for some time.

Following this mobilization, they started tracing these “gangsters”, apprehended one of them who is around 20’s and started assaulting him with various objects and subsequently killing him instantly. The deceased is still unknown at this stage. The Police in Waterval have opened cases of murder and public violence.

Members of the community must stop taking the law in their own hands and if they have information about any suspected persons involved in crime, they must call the Police rather than to engage in this heinous acts which is totally uncalled for, concluded Lieutenant General Ledwaba.

The suspects involved on both incidents are still unknown and there is no arrest.

Anyone with information which can lead to the arrest of all the suspects involved in these incidents, may contact the crime stop number 0860010111 or the crime line sms 32211 or the nearest Police Station.

The Police investigations are continuing.

Source: South African Police Service