GQEBERHA - A total of five suspects (3 males and 2 females) aged between 31 and 48 are appearing in the New Brighton Magistrate’s Court this morning on charges of murder and attempted murder.

It is alleged on Saturday, 07 January 2023, the sister of the deceased realised that her SASSA card and book was missing from her house in Somfula Street in Zwide. When her brother, Luwando Kana (31) and her cousin denied any knowledge of her cards, she informed the community. Approximately 30 people arrived at the house and took the duo to a nearby park where they were assaulted with sjamboks, water pipes and sticks.

They were later brought back and on the following morning, 08 January 2023, Kana was found dead in the house. His cousin, aged 42 sustained severe injuries and was taken to hospital for medical treatment.

During the early hours of Thursdya, on 12 January 2023, SAPS Kwazakele members arrested five suspects at their houses in Zwide. They are charged for murder and attempted murder.

Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Maj Gen Vuyisile Ncata has once again strongly condemned these senseless acts of violence. ‘Irrespective of how angry a person or community is, the law cannot be taken into their own hands and any act of a criminal nature either seen or perceived must be reported to the police. Every citizen must abide by the law and to inform police of any suspect/s or to call police if you (the community) managed to arrest an alleged suspect in order to avoid any further criminal acts through mob justice .Vigilantism cannot be a justifiable act of punishment for anyone. The community must refrain from making assumptions without verifying the facts. Many times the community takes the law into their own hands and no cases are reported against the person/s they allege to be a suspect/s,’ warned Maj Gen Ncata.

Source: South African Police Service