The mob justice related incident which left two people dead in Mbabalane Locality on Friday night, 07 April 2023 at about 22:00, resulted to the arrest and detention of about ten (10) suspects in Port St Johns Police Station.
According to the information, the incident was sparked by one of the deceased (29) who allegedly stabbed one of the patrons in a local tavern where they were enjoying themselves. This resulted to him being assaulted with sticks by other patrons until he succumbed to injuries sustained. The 57-year old mother to the deceased, who tried to intervene during the assault on her son, was allegedly shot and killed at the scene.
Police were called to the crime scene and they managed to arrest about ten (10) male suspects implicated in the double Murder. Police have registered murder cases for a further investigation.
The incident of mob justice is the second after two young men were burnt to death in Bityi last week by members of the community. Subsequently, four (4) suspects were arrested and appeared in Bityi Magistrate court on Thursday, 06 April 2023. Their case is remanded to 12 April 2023.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene has expressed shock and concerns at what seems like an emerging and unrelenting culture of vigilantism within the communities. “We have on numerous occasions warned people to refrain from taking the law into their own hands, but some people have chosen to ignore our call. Therefore, we have had no choice but to arrest those who set a bad example within the communities. There is law to be respected in our province, and for this reason those who undermine it will simply face the consequences,” Lieutenant General Mene said.
The arrested suspects aged between 28 and 48 are expected to appear in Port St Johns Magistrate Court on Tuesday the 11th April 2023 on murder charges.