BLOEMFONTEIN – Two African males appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court on Monday 31 January 2022 on charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and murder. It is alleged that the two are part of a vigilante group which kidnapped the victims from their homes and meted mob justice on them.

According to information there are two vigilante groups in different sections of Khayelitsha Informal Settlement in Bloemspruit Police Station area. One group is known as Tshirelletsa motswalle and the other call themselves Bloemspruit Patrollers.

On Thursday 27 January 2022 at about 23:00 members of Tshirelletsa motswalle visited homes of people who were suspected of committing a variety of crimes in Khayelitsha Informal Settlement area. They then kidnapped them to an open space where they tied them on a high-mast light pole and assaulted them with all sorts of weapons.

One of the victims, a 26-year-old African male succumbed to the assault injuries and died on the scene. The ambulance arrived at about 08:45 the following day and rushed the other four victims to hospital. The second victim passed on while at hospital.

The investigation in the case is continuing. Any member of the public with information that can lead to the arrest of other suspects is requested to contact Warrant Officer Solly Mokgobo at 082 527 7390. Alternatively the information can be submitted on the MySAPS App or contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Source: South African Police Service