Police management in Mpumalanga has strongly condemned acts of vigilantism in which five people accused of being involved in criminal activities around the area of Lydenburg were brutally assaulted and two succumbed to their injuries.
The incident happened on Tuesday, 4 May 2021 at Extension 8 in Mashishing. Reports indicate that members of the SAPS received information about a group of people who were assaulting two men at the said location. They responded and upon arrival, found two men lying on the ground, badly injured.
Emergency services personnel were notified about the incident and on arrival, one of the victims, a 31-year-old man was certified dead, while the other, a 23-year-old was taken to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
It is further said that three more victims who were also assaulted by the mob were admitted in hospital where they are receiving medical care. A double murder case and assault with an intent to cause grievous bodily harm were opened.
No arrests has been made as yet and anyone with information that may assist police in their investigation is urged to contact Lieutenant Colonel Owen Dibakoane at 082 303 9799 or call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111.
Alternatively members of the public can send information via MYSAPS APP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
The management of police in the province warns community members to stop taking the law into their own hands, urging people to report criminal acts to police and allow the law take its course. “Vigilantism will not be tolerated nor accepted as a way of addressing issues relating to crime, anyone found to have taken part in such acts, will be arrested and face the full might of the law”, said Major General Thulani Phahla, the Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga.
