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Cape Town – Another suspected thief was set on fire in Philippi, bringing the total number of suspected mob justice attacks to four last week.
The burnt body of an unidentified man was discovered yesterday at Bongolethu Primary School at Browns Farm.
On Sunday, a 23-year-old man was stoned to death, allegedly by an angry mob, after he was accused of attempting to rob a Kosovo resident, Samora Machel, in Philippi.
An unidentified man was found on the street on Friday after he was allegedly beaten to death. He was accused of attempting to steal a cell phone in Litha Park, Khayelitsha.
Last Monday, 24-year-old Samkelo Nyeka was burned and stoned to death after being accused of stealing clothes.
The body at Browns Farm was found yesterday by school guard Mziwethu Mketo.
“I found the body around 9 am on my routine patrol. He was visibly burnt.
“I rushed to inform the principal and he immediately sent the children home because we were trying to keep them from seeing the body, trying to protect them from the trauma,” Mketo said.
Police spokesman Noloyiso Rwexana said the case was under investigation.
“A murder case was opened for investigation by Nyanga police after a burnt body was found at a school on Dyamara Street, Browns Farm. The police are following the leads to arrest the suspects responsible for this murder. “
In the case of the Kosovo resident, Rwexana said police were investigating the circumstances that led to his death.
“A 23-year-old man was stoned to death in the informal Eyadini neighborhood, Samora Machel, (Sunday) around 4.30pm. There are no arrests at this point. “
A Kosovo resident who witnessed the incident said the community believed the 23-year-old was a criminal.
“He tried to rob someone and the man managed to fight him off, but the residents had already heard the commotion and rushed to see what was going on.
“That’s when they grabbed him and beat him to death.
Luvuyo Mamba from the Kosovo Community Policing Forum (PCF) said: “I do not condone criminal acts nor do I endorse what the community has done, as this is not the first time they have done so. take the law in hand.
“They must allow the law to take its course.”
Rwexana said police were also investigating the murder of Khayelitsha’s man.
“Lingelethu Police are investigating a murder case following an incident on Friday at Msobomvu Drive, Litha Park.
“Police were called to the scene and upon arrival found a man in his twenties with a head injury. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The police are following the leads to arrest the suspects responsible for this murder.”
Dumisani Qwebe of Philippi CPF said: “We are saddened by the vigilance and extend our deepest condolences to these families.
Gugulethu Development Forum secretary Vincent Domingo said the peak in alleged mob justice incidents stemmed from a deeper problem.
“Our communities are besieged by crime and they feel they need to protect themselves. This is a reflection that they are gradually losing confidence in the police and this requires special attention. “
Anyone with information on these incidents can anonymously contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or SMS Crime Line on 32211.
