A row of police vehicles used by the South African Police Service. Image: SAPS
Vigilante killings: Three killed, one ‘seriously injured’ after series of attacks
Three separate vigilante attacks in Limpopo left three people dead this week. The provincial commissioner condemned the ‘horrendous and barbaric’ acts.
A row of police vehicles used by the South African Police Service. Image: SAPS
The Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe issued a stern warning to the public after a spate of vigilante attacks in the province left three people dead and another seriously injured.
MULTIPLE VIGILANTE ATTACKS IN LIMPOPO
South Africa Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in the province, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, said the first vigilante incident took place on Monday, 7 February.
At approximately 6:30, the police were told about the discovery of a dead body in Masesha Spookpak. When officers arrived at the scene they found that the man had sustained multiple injuries.
“Preliminary investigations indicated that he might have been killed somewhere and dumped in this area,” said Mojapelo.
The second incident also took place on Monday. A group of people allegedly attacked two men in Kwena Moloto Phase 3 at 12:00.
The victims reportedly jumped into the trailer of a neighbour – in an attempt to escape. The man drove off with the victims in the back of his vehicle. However, some of the residents also jumped on the trailer and continued to assault the men.
“When [the driver] finally got help from the police who were on Patrol, the mob immediately jumped off and fled. One of the victims was certified dead and the other taken to hospital in a critical condition,” said the police spokesperson.
The third vigilante attack took place on 8 February. A 20-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death in Moletjie Ga-Makgokgwane by community members who accused him of theft.
“The victim was reportedly assaulted with sjambokes and stones while being forced to take them to the person whom he sold the TV set.
“After they failed to recover the property, they reportedly continued to assault him and thereafter fled the scene. The man was certified dead when police and paramedics arrived,” said the police spokesperson.
No suspects have been arrested in connection with any of the incidents. The provincial commissioner condemned the “barbaric and horrendous” acts and said the suspects must be hunted down and face the law.
