The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena condemned the alleged assault of a suspect and killing of another, both aged 34, by members of the community in Reivilo near Taung on Friday 18 December 2020.
According to reports, the two men were badly beaten by community members who saw them transporting three cattle that were allegedly stolen at Boscobel Farm in Reivilo.
According to information at our disposal, farm owners received a tip-off from the community members about suspicious people who were driving Nissan bakkie transporting cattle to Dithakong village in the Northern Cape. The owners rushed and blocked the bakkie and caught two of the four suspects.
The livestock owners together with members of the community took the law into their own hands by assaulting the two suspects with knobkerries, iron rods and hammers. One of the suspects died on the scene while the other was transported to Vryburg Hospital with serious injuries.
It is alleged that the mob also burnt to ashes the suspects’ vehicle. The other two suspects fled the scene and are still at large. Separate cases of murder and stock theft were opened at Reivilo Police Station. Investigation into the matter continues.
Lieutenant General Kwena urged the public to refrain from taking law into their hands, but to work together with the police in the fight against crime.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
