North West MEC for Human Settlements Public Safety and Liaison Nono Maloyi has condemned in strongest terms the killing of two men, by community members in Freedom Park outside Rustenburg on Sunday. The two were set alight by a mob in the area allegedly accused for committing series of crimes, including murder.
According to MEC Maloyi, vigilantism shows no respect for the rule of law. He says that police will not allow communities to take matters it into their own hands by executing their own form of justice. “This is a total disregard of the rule of law and further undermining efforts to ensure proper administration of justice” he said.
MEC called on police to investigate and prosecute those who take the law into their own hands. “Such incident calls for a vigorous campaign by government to educate communities on how the criminal justice system works. We need to make sure that our communities respect the rule of law and understand the consequences of their actions,” said MEC Maloyi.
According to police an angry crowd of about 500 people who were gathered at the crime scene tried to disturb the police officers from putting the fire out. Police called for backup and assisted in taking control of the scene.
The two dead men, whose identities are unknown, were allegedly assaulted, doused with paraffin and then set alight. Police were investigating these claims as well as the murder of the two men.
No arrests have been made yet.
Enquiries:
Simon Lesolang Mmope, Acting Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 4826
Cell: 082 574 7621
Fax: 018 391 0328
E-mail: smmope@nwpg.gov.za
