LIMPOPO – Mob justice has almost become a way of life for residents in the Vhembe region, where many suspected criminals get maimed or killed by angry residents who are fed-up with the constant crime and the police’s apparent incapacity to bring the perpetrators to book.

In one of the latest incidents, a suspect, John Ngobeni, was assaulted and set alight by an angry crowd, at Ha-Mashau Thondoni.

Residents apparently caught up with Ngobeni, whom they accused of raping his girlfriend’s daughter and setting the girl’s father’s house on fire. They also accuse him of being a criminal mastermind in the area.

Residents blame the police for being too lenient with criminals, who they say are arrested just to be released again.

One of the community leaders who preferred to stay anonymous, says crime in the area is at an all-time high.

“We are very concerned as a community, and that is why we are warning would-be criminals to not dare venture into our village, as their safety will not be guaranteed.

The community is angry, and the police will not always be there to protect them,” he said.

Limpopo police spokesperson Lt Col Malesela Ledwaba said the latest incident was a source of great concern to the police.

“We have launched a massive manhunt for a group of community members who have brutally murdered a man.

The suspects are, however, not known and our investigation continues.’

Acting provincial police commissioner, Maj Gen Jan Scheepers has reiterated his call to the community to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.

“When people come across or know the whereabouts of a suspect, or witness a person committing a crime, they must conduct a citizen’s arrest without harming or killing the suspect, or just call the police, who will come out and arrest the suspect,” Scheepers said.