LIMPOPO – Provincial Commissioner, Lt. General Nneke Ledwaba, has discouraged continuous acts of mob-attacks and killings which are still prevalent in some parts of Limpopo, especially in Thohoyandou
This after two gruesome incidents which occurred in Phazima and Vondwe villages in the Thohoyandou Cluster after two people suspected of criminal activities were attacked in two separate incidents.
You might also want to read: Limpopo police search for two wanted suspects believed to be hiding in Pretoria
According to police spokesperson, Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe, police in Thohoyandou are still searching for a group of residents connected to the mob-killing of a man in his twenties at Vondwe village on Friday, 18 May.
A passerby made the gruesome discovery of the half burnt body of a young man and notified the police who responded immediately and processed the crime scene accordingly.
“Preliminary police investigations in this matter have revealed that the deceased is a resident of the same village and is accused of being one of the suspects involved in a series of crimes in and around the area,” he said.
Furthermore, a middle aged man was severely beaten by residents from Phazima village in the Vhulaudzi Policing area, outside Thohoyandou, on Friday, 18 May.
“The mob took the man to the local sports field and assaulted him with a variety of objects. This was sparked by the alleged rape of a 23-year-old girl by the suspect. Police were notified, reacted swiftly and rescued him. He was immediately taken to hospital for medical attention,” Ngoepe explained.
Preliminary police investigations have linked the injured suspect to four counts of rape and robberies. He will appear before the Thohoyandou Magistrates Court as soon as he recovers from hospital to face these offenses.
“The people responsible for the assault of this suspect are still unknown and no arrests have been made at this stage. Anyone who knows who the suspects are in both incidents, may contact the nearest police station; the crime stop number 0860010111 or the crime line sms 32211,” he urged.
He added that communities are once more advised and warned to refrain from irresponsible acts such as the ones mentioned above as they continue to destroy the hard earned community policing spirit which still exists around the province.
“You cannot combat crime by committing crime because there is no justifiable reason to attack or kill a person suspected of being involved in criminal activities. Communities who are still perpetrating these types of acts are going to be dealt with mercilessly and without compromise,” concluded General Ledwaba.
