Residents threaten to shut down local police station

Kwa-Thema – A group of disgruntled Masimini residents gathered at Kwa-Thema Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning in support of four suspects who have been arrested for mob justice instigation.
The residents warned that they will shut down the police station because ‘police are sleeping on the job’, while demanding that these suspects be released from police custody.
Resident Linda Dladla told African Reporter that they are terrorised by an unruly gang in the area.
“Police are protecting the perpetrators while we continue to live in fear.
“This gang breaks into our homes and steals our belongings but they are still roaming the streets without facing any accountability.
“Those who were merely trying to help the innocent are the ones arrested,” she said.

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Dladla explained they only wanted assistance and to build a partnership with law enforcement in fighting the ungovernable crime in Masimini.
She also added that after her stolen phone was found with an alleged gang member he was never arrested nor they did attend any court hearing.
“I only received an SMS stating that the case had been dismissed.
“How can a case be dismissed when someone was found in possession of the stolen property?” asked Dladla.
Another resident, Peter Morare, said they are not condoning mob justice.
“We are not saying it is right, but rather the system is failing us. People feel like they have no choice but to act barbaric because of crime.
“For example, an alleged culprit has been in and out of holding cells more than 20 times but never get charged. It becomes a trend and they start to feel untouchable because they know they won’t be there for too long,” he stated.

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They also blamed the high crime rates on the lack of resources at the police station.
Meanwhile, Kwa-Thema Police spokesperson Constable Nkululeko Magudulela said they are investigating cases of mob justice in Kwa-Thema.
“On September 8, we reported to a scene where a man was assaulted by a large group of people at Nyaweni Street in Masimini.
“On arrival, police witnessed the alleged suspect being beaten with sticks and sjamboks and intervened.
“The alleged suspect died shortly after the incident and a case of murder was opened for investigation,” he explained.
Magudulela explained that a murder case is described as ‘the unlawful and intentional killing of another human being’ and culpable homicide as ‘the unlawful negligent killing of a human being’ both of which carry a prison term of 10 years or more.
“A person found assaulting another person, whether a suspect or not, is also guilty of a crime of assault or assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm where an object such as a stick or a sjambok is used.
“Any assaulted person has the right to open a case of assault against any other person who has assaulted them.
“An alleged suspect would be suspected of having committed a crime when community members would gather and assault the suspect with whips, sticks, shovels and, in the worst of cases, the suspect would even be burned to death,” he said.

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