The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) has slammed the setting alight of three people accused of stealing a laptop in Conville, George, in the Western Cape, and welcomed the arrest of three of the alleged perpetrators.
“We condemn in the strongest terms possible the barbaric and ghastly act because mob justice will only lead to lawlessness and a vicious cycle of violence,” Sanco national spokesman Jabu Mahlangu said on Saturday.
Mahlangu urged communities to report crime to the authorities instead of taking the law into their own hands. He appealed to the community to help police investigations to bring all those responsible to book.
“Urgent action needs to be taken to restore the confidence of communities in accountable and democratic community policing to address mob justice incidents that appear to be on the increase.”
Mahlangu said quicker police response to distress calls, increased visibility, and regular investigation progress updates to crime victims would contribute towards restoring confidence in the criminal justice system.
According to police spokesman Malcom Poje, police were investigating a case of attempted murder following the incident in which three people were set alight after community members poured petrol over them. Two had been taken to hospital in a critical condition and the investigation was ongoing, Poje said.
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