Residents take law into own hands
A murder suspect recently became the victim of mob justice when he was severely beaten by angry community members before being taken into police custody.
TONGA – Last week the SAPS arrested Mr Benedict Cala (25) for the alleged murder of another 25-year-old man inBlock C. Officers on duty rushed to the scene after being informed of the incident.
According to Lt Mzwandile Nyambi, upon arrival they found community members surrounding two men who were lying on the ground.
“One of the victims, the deceased, had stab wounds on the chest and both hands, and the other victim was the suspect who was caught by the community when he was trying to flee,” Nyambi explained.
Cala was taken to Tonga Hospital. The case is being investigated and he is expected to appear in court soon.
In a separate incident, Mr Phillip Msimango (27) was arrested for allegedly taking the law into his own hands. This after a victim of mob justice died in hospital. It is alleged that Msimango saw the 27-year-old man in his yard and suspected him of trying to break in.
Msimango allegedly called the community to attack the man when he tried to flee. According to the local SAPS, they found the victim naked on the ground with multiple head injuries and bruises on his back and hand. Msimango was arrested on murder charges and taken into police custody. The case is still being investigated and he is expected to appear in the Tonga Magistrate’s Court soon.
Meanwhile, Tonga Police Station commander Brig Velisiwe Mdaka, appealed to the community to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
“Police are always there to assist. If they are not assisting, they should report it as it is the police’s duty to make sure people are safe. More people will be dealt with if they refuse to let the law take its course in solving crime,” Mdaka said.
