POLOKWANE - In an effort to stamp out incidents of vigilantism where people take the law into their own hands, the Police in Witpoort outside Lephalale, have arrested six suspects on Tuesday, 10 January 2023 for allegedly killing two men whom they accused of being responsible for committing robberies at foreign national shops around Senoela (Melkbosch) village.

On Wednesday, 04 January 2023, the local community members mobilized after the alleged suspects attacked the owner of one of the shops with a pepper spray and demanded cash.

The shop owner allegedly called for help and community members responded. Upon arrival at the shop, the alleged suspects managed to escape.

The victims were later traced at their homes in the nearby village and they were taken back to the shop and stoned to death by the raging mob.

A tactical joint operation comprising of members from Lephalale Crime Intelligence Unit, Witpoort Detectives and Lephalale POP Unit resulted in the arrest of the first suspect on 09 January 2023, followed by the other five on 10 January 2023.

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has commended the reaction of the operatives that led to the swift arrests. "The arrest of these suspects should send a strong message to all communities that the Police will not be tolerant to acts of lawlessness," said Lieutenant General Hadebe.

The deceased suspects were identified as Duncan Mabila (25) and the other as only Steve reportedly from Zimbabwe.

The six suspects aged between 27 and 43 are expected to appear before the Phalala Magistrate's Court on Wednesday 11 January 2022, facing two counts of murder.

Source: South African Police Service