An 18-year-old was killed and another injured in a mob justice incident at Ext 15, eMbalenhle, on Saturday night, May 21.
In the wake of this incident, two groups of community members were picketing at eMbalenhle Police Station with different demands last week.
The first group that was picketing on Monday, May 23 demanded the release of a foreign national shop owner who was arrested after the incident, alleging that the deceased and the other injured youth burgled his shop.
The second group which included the deceased’s family picketed on Wednesday, May 25 and demanded answers from the police about why the suspect (a foreign national shop owner) was released on bail.
Because of the different demands from the community members, the police were confused about what was happening.
“We demanded that the shop owner must be released. Why did the police arrest him for mob justice because he is a victim of crime?” asked a resident.
“These criminals were breaking into his shop and community members helped the owner, but now he is arrested for murder,” said one of the residents.
Police responded by saying the matter is now in the hands of the court because their obligation is to investigate and apprehend the suspects.
The angry family of the deceased and other community members said they want justice for the 18-year-old.
They told Lieut-Col Andries Shabalala that they don’t trust the investigation officer in the case because the suspect is released and was seen having a braai to celebrate.
“We are not satisfied with the manner in which our police handled this case, how can someone who is facing a murder charge be released, because someone was brutally killed?
“The suspect was not alone when the murder was committed. Why was he released before other suspects were arrested?” asked another resident.
Colonel Tshabalala responded by saying he is waiting for the docket to form the court to see why the shop owner was granted bail.
“The community must understand that we can only give the information out to the victim’s family.”
“After checking the docket, I will liaise with the family to notify them about the developments in the case,” said Tshabalala.
The youth who was also injured has been discharged from the hospital and residents are concerned about his safety as the suspects have not yet been arrested.
Tshabalala assured them that police will attend to it.
