The KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bhekinkosi Langa, condemned the killing of a suspect who allegedly murdered a 19-year-old girl in the Muden area (close to Colenso).

“We strongly condemn such acts by community members. The community must not take the law into their own hands; rather hand over the suspect to police who will investigate the alleged case against the suspect and charge him accordingly.

“Those who are involved in the killing of the suspect will be arrested and charged accordingly,” he said.

Today (June 9), a few minutes after a 19-year-old girl was found dead, the community of Muden went out and attacked the suspect. The suspect, Bhobhodla Dladla (34), was allegedly stoned to death not far from where the victim’s body was found. The community members suspected him of being involved in the killing of the victim.

On June 7, a school girl, Phathela Tshabha (19) went to a local school in the area and she never came back home. The family members reported her missing at the local police station at Muden.

A search was conducted, but she could not be found. This morning, the Pietermaritzburg K9 Unit went back to the area to look for the missing girl.

With the help of search and rescue dog Chazz, the body of the victim was found in the bushes.

It is suspected that she was strangled with her school tie and killed. A case of murder was opened at Muden police station for further investigation. While the officers were at the murder scene, angry community members traced and allegedly stoned the suspect to death. Police had to open another murder case for the killing of the suspect and detectives will investigate and arrest those involved.