Mob-attacks and vigilantism strongly condemned

APEL – Limpopo SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lt General Nneke Ledwaba has condemned acts of mob-attacks and vigilantism that erupted on Monday, 05 February 2018 evening in Apel and Mecklenburg policing areas respectively.

According to police, two unknown suspected burglars were brutally attacked and killed by an unknown group of members of the community on Monday at about 20:30 in Apel.

Police said it is alleged that two unknown middle aged men were dropped off by a certain motor vehicle a few meters away from the local health centre.

Police said the men were then taken in at the facility and later transferred to hospital for further medical treatment where they were certified dead on arrival.

Lt Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe, Limpopo Provincial Police Spokesperson, said police were summoned and reacted swiftly where initial investigations and a manhunt ensued.

Ngoepe said motive behind the incident was not clear at this stage but mob-attack or vigilantism may not be ruled out.

Meanwhile, a house with all its contents was torched also on Monday by a group of unknown community members in Mandagshoek village outside Burgersfort at about 21:00.

Ngoepe said it was alleged a group of community members attacked and torched the house of one of the community member of Mandagshoek before they disappeared into darkness.

He said the suspects were unknown and no arrests have been made yet.

“The motive behind this incident is not clear at this stage but police investigations will tell as they are still unfolding,” said Ngoepe.

He said a case of arson has been opened and the estimated damage caused was over R800 000.

Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of suspects on both incidents and the identification of the two deceased in Apel may contact Captain Richard Boshomane at 079 894 5501 or the crime stop number 08600 10111 or the crime line sms 32211 or the nearest police station.

Lt General Ledwaba said taking the law into one’s own hands is always a serious transgression of the laws of the country, including community policing principles, and as such, it ought to be condemned with the strongest possible terms.

Ledwaba said the senseless and barbaric acts that were still taking place in some parts of the province ought to stop abruptly in the spirit of partnership policing and community policing.

“Those who are still closing their ears, the police are going to deal with them mercilessly and without compromise,” concluded Ledwaba.