Five men accused of waging crime against a Mount Fletcher community died horrifically when a mob apparently stabbed them, shot them and threw them over a cliff.
Provincial police confirmed the slayings, but had little information and appealed to the public to assist.
Most of the information came from Traditional leader Chief Montoeli Lehana, who is from Chevychase village, close to Mount Fletcher.
Lehana said the mob believed that the men were responsible for a number of criminal activities in the area, including stock theft and burglary.
“They were killed because the community believe them to be the ones who have been terrorising our community for over five years, robbing businesses such as taverns and spaza shops,” said Lehana.
He said the men were first assaulted with sharp and deadly weapons before they were shot and dumped down a cliff.
Lehana called the killings barbaric and inhumane, and said mob justice would not solve any of the community’s problems.
“It is really disturbing and I am not happy with the fact that none of the community members thought to approach me before taking the law into their own hands. We understand that often these men were armed, and so the community was in fear, but we cannot encourage this kind of behaviour,” he said.
He said the community members should have taken the “thieves” to the police.
Lehana said stock theft in the area was prevalent. Recently one resident had 56 sheep stolen from his kraal.
“The nearest police station is in Katkop, and it is far from most villages that it is meant to serve, including Chevychase, where theft is really a problem. We need a satellite police station to serve this area, and maybe that would discourage the criminals from stealing,” said Lehana.
Provincial police spokesman Captain Khaya Tonjeni confirmed the incident. He said the SAPS condemned mob justice.
“Police have opened a case of five counts of murder, and are following all possible leads trying to find who is behind this attack,” said Tonjeni.
He said no arrests had been made, but police encouraged anyone with information to contact the investigating officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Bongani Mnyakeni, on 071-475-1918.
All information would be regarded as anonymous and confidential.
The Eastern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison MEC, Weziwe Tikana, has expressed shock at the brutal killings.
“We never expected that to happen, because just two days ago we were burying victims in Mbizana. To kill in such a manner is worrisome and we have to send a message to people who are still willing to participate in mob justice and say that they must allow the law to run its course. We will be visiting Chief Lehana to see what support we can give the community and to understand better what happened,” said Tikana. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
5 shot, dumped over cliff
Provincial police confirmed the slayings, but had little information and appealed to the public to assist.
Most of the information came from Traditional leader Chief Montoeli Lehana, who is from Chevychase village, close to Mount Fletcher.
Lehana said the mob believed that the men were responsible for a number of criminal activities in the area, including stock theft and burglary.
“They were killed because the community believe them to be the ones who have been terrorising our community for over five years, robbing businesses such as taverns and spaza shops,” said Lehana.
He said the men were first assaulted with sharp and deadly weapons before they were shot and dumped down a cliff.
Lehana called the killings barbaric and inhumane, and said mob justice would not solve any of the community’s problems.
“It is really disturbing and I am not happy with the fact that none of the community members thought to approach me before taking the law into their own hands. We understand that often these men were armed, and so the community was in fear, but we cannot encourage this kind of behaviour,” he said.
He said the community members should have taken the “thieves” to the police.
Lehana said stock theft in the area was prevalent. Recently one resident had 56 sheep stolen from his kraal.
“The nearest police station is in Katkop, and it is far from most villages that it is meant to serve, including Chevychase, where theft is really a problem. We need a satellite police station to serve this area, and maybe that would discourage the criminals from stealing,” said Lehana.
Provincial police spokesman Captain Khaya Tonjeni confirmed the incident. He said the SAPS condemned mob justice.
“Police have opened a case of five counts of murder, and are following all possible leads trying to find who is behind this attack,” said Tonjeni.
He said no arrests had been made, but police encouraged anyone with information to contact the investigating officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Bongani Mnyakeni, on 071-475-1918.
All information would be regarded as anonymous and confidential.
The Eastern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison MEC, Weziwe Tikana, has expressed shock at the brutal killings.
“We never expected that to happen, because just two days ago we were burying victims in Mbizana. To kill in such a manner is worrisome and we have to send a message to people who are still willing to participate in mob justice and say that they must allow the law to run its course. We will be visiting Chief Lehana to see what support we can give the community and to understand better what happened,” said Tikana. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
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