Limpopo Police Commissioner, Lieutenant- General Nneke Ledwaba has condemned acts of mob-attacks and vigilantism that erupted on Monday evening in Apel and Mecklenburg policing areas respectively in the Sekhukhune district.
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 say it is alleged that two unknown men were dropped off by a motor vehicle a few meters away from the local
health centre.
Police say 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.
Provincial spokesperson Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe says police were summoned and reacted swiftly where
initial investigations and a manhunt ensued.
Ngoepe says the motive behind the incident is not yet clear but mob-attack or vigilantism may not be ruled out.
Meanwhile, a house with all its contents was also torched on Monday by a group of unknown community members in Mandagshoek village outside Burgersfort at about 21:00.
Ngoepe says it is alleged a group of community members attacked and torched the house of one of the local mine
managers before they disappeared into darkness.
He says the suspects are unknown and no arrests have been made yet.
“The motive behind this incident is also not yet clear but police investigations will tell as they unfold,” says Ngoepe.
Further adding that a case of arson has been opened and the estimated damage caused is 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 has warned community members against taking the law into their hands.
Saying it is a serious transgression of the laws of the country, including community policing principles, and as
such, it is condemned with the strongest possible terms.
Ledwaba also says the senseless 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 not cooperating, will be dealt with mercilessly,” concludes Ledwaba.
