The police arrested and charged five community members from Ext 17, eMbalenhle, with murder on Tuesday, March 1.
The arrest followed after a 26-year-old man, who was allegedly terrorising the community, was beaten in a mob justice incident in December. The man later died.
Residents alleged that the man was involved in criminal activities, such as housebreaking (burglary) and theft.
“We want the police to release the community members, because they (the police) fail to arrest the real criminals who are terrorising us day and night.
“The residents are tired of criminals. Many of us have opened cases at our police station, but no arrests have yet been made,” said a resident.
“We demand the five be released.
“There were many people present at the mop justice that day. How were the police able to identify these five as being involved?” someone else asked.
“In a mob justice it is not easy to identify who is who,” said one of the residents.
The irked residents met with the management of the eMbalenhle Police Station on Wednesday, March 2.
Their demands failed when the police told them an eyewitness had identified the culprits involved in the mob justice.
Police also told them that the accused were already charged and their matter is now in the hands of the court.
Const Busi Mthethwa, eMbalenhle Police spokesperson, confirmed the arrest of the five people.
“We will arrest more once we get more information.
“Residents should refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
“If they suspect someone or have information on involved in criminal activities, they must report it to the police,” said Const Mthethwa.
The five accused appeared before the Evander Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, March 2 and their case was postponed to Wednesday, March 9, for formal bail application.
