POLOKWANE – “Taking the law into your own hands is not the key in fighting crime in our community, instead it turns you into a criminal.”
These words come from Westenburg Police Station Commander, Lt Col Maimele Pilusa, after residents in Extension 44 assaulted two men in the early hours last Thursday morning who they claim are burglars.
The residents say the men broke into different houses in the community, but according to Pilusa none of the residents are willing to open a case against the men.
When the police arrived at the scene, residents prevented police from assisting the men, stating they don’t want police to help them as they want them to die.
The police called an ambulance for assistance as one of the men who were assaulted was badly injured, which caused the residents to pelt the police with stones.
Pilusa said they were forced to shoot warning shots into the air to stop the mob and for their own safety.
“The residents refused to listen to reason and we had to do something before we were stoned to death. We pulled the two men who were assaulted into one of the police vehicles because the angry residents prevented the ambulance from responding to the scene. The two men were taken to hospital for medical attention after we left the scene,” Pilusa said.
He urged residents to allow the police to do their jobs and to not take the law into their own hands.
“The residents accused these men of breaking into their houses, but when we asked them to open a case so that we can arrest the men, they refused to come forth.
“If people do not open cases there is nothing the police can do to apprehend the accused. Because no one wanted to open a case against the two men, they will be free to go as soon as they are discharged from hospital.
“The key to fighting crime lies with residents working with the police to report crime and opening cases so police can investigate and bring the perpetrators to book,” Pilusa explained.
The Westenburg Police are investigating a case of assault and malicious damage to property.
No arrests have been made and investigations are still ongoing.
