Police investigate murder of Mamelodi mob justice victim
The family claim the 26-year-old had been badly beaten after he and another man were accused of cellphone theft by a group of unknown individuals.
Police are investigating a case of murder while the deceased’s Mamelodi West family undergoes a process of ensuring their 26-year-old son is buried this weekend.
The family told Rekord that they were shaken by the brutal beating and death of their son in an alleged mob justice incident.
Police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk said police started investigating an assault of grievous bodily harm case, which later changed to murder when the victim passed away on January 11.
“The police approached the family regarding the investigation, but the family requested that they be respected at the moment, the reason being that they are busy with the funeral,” said Van Dyk.
At this moment, nobody has been arrested but the investigation continues.
Van Dyk further said police condemned any vigilantism.
“Police urge the community to report any mob that wants to cause harm or threatens to take other people’s lives,” he said.
“No person has permission to take the law into their own hands.”
According to a family member, Kenneth Frans Monyai died after he and another man were brutally assaulted allegedly by a group of unknown people, believed to be patrolling a community park in the area on December 31.
Monyai’s brother, Clifford, told Rekord that he found his brother in the park after the assault.
“My brother could not move a muscle but was able to tell me that he and his friend had been accused of stealing a cellphone and so they were beaten by the group. He said he had been tied with wire and assaulted.”
Monyai was rushed to a nearby hospital. The healthcare worker later told the family that he had suffered severe internal bleeding and kidney failure.
He succumbed to these injuries 12 days later.
His father Vincent said his family were left with more questions than answers.
“We desperately want answers from the group and the person whose phone was allegedly taken. We want justice for our son.”
He pleaded with police to leave no stone unturned in investigating the murder of his son.
The family said plans were in place for Monyai’s memorial service on Saturday at 07:30 at his home in Mbaliso Street, Section D1, Mamelodi West.
Later, he will be laid to rest at Heatherley Cemetery.
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