BOPHELONG. – “Make trouble with squatter camp residents and die!” threatened an unruly crowd.
A man was stoned to death after the mob accused him of stabbing someone to death. The first killing incident apparently took place in Extension 18 at 03:00. The rumour of the killing later spread to the Joko Tea squatter camp at around 07:00 on Saturday. Apparently the community tracked the suspect until they found him at about 07:00 at the squatter camp.
He tried to run away but did not make it. His three accomplices sped off and left their friend behind at the mercy of the mob.
The man was hit with objects until he fell to the ground. While struggling on the ground, the community was also looking for petrol to toss over his body. They brought tyres and wood, saying they wanted to ‘braai’ him. Police and the ambulance personnel were prevented from rescuing the dying suspect. The community dictated terms as they threw stones at the ambulance and police.
The arrival of the Public Order Police in Nyala trucks to disperse the crowd was too little too late as it seemed that the victim had already passed away. Police said they arrived on the scene within minutes of receiving a call but that ‘the community charged at us’, forcing the ambulance and police drivers to make safety U-turns. The community, especially elderly women, chanted and ululated hatred and songs of violence. They sang “Go on young man, but you will never see and enter the heaven’s door.” Police had to escort the Pathologists’ vehicle as it left the area. Police spokesperson Sergeant Gertrude Makhale confirmed that two bodies were found at different areas on Saturday. She said cases of murder are being investigated. No one has been arrested by police. Police do not condone mob justice: “We always appeal to the community to arrest and hand over suspects so justice can take its course.”
