Azania residents picket outside Evander court over mob justice arrests

Residents of the Azania informal settlement picketed outside the Evander Magistrate’s Court on July 15, demanding the release of a community member arrested in connection with a mob justice incident.

This protest came after a group of community members allegedly assaulted a man accused of housebreaking and theft in June. Hospitalised after the attack, the man opened a case of assault and kidnapping at the eMbalenhle Police Station and upon his release.

The SAPS subsequently arrested two community members. The court granted one accused R500 bail on July 8, while the other remained in custody pending verification of his nationality.

The bail hearing for the second accused was scheduled for July 15, but could not proceed due to an electricity outage at the Evander court. The matter was postponed to July 16, when R500 bail was granted.

Community members who had gathered outside the court told the Ridge Times they had collectively contributed to pay the bail for both accused. They expressed frustration with the local police, accusing them of failing to act on criminal complaints.

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“We are tired of these criminals. The man was caught with stolen property belonging to community members. We called the police, but they never arrived,” said one community leader.

According to the residents, the man allegedly sold the stolen goods, and some victims identified their belongings.

During an emergency community meeting, the man admitted to being involved in the crimes and led residents to where he had sold the stolen items.

“The police were quick to arrest the community members, but ignored us when we initially apprehended the criminal. We do not support mob justice, but the police have failed us,” the community leader added.

The case against the two accused has been postponed to August 12.

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