The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Riah Phiyega, is alarmed by the brutal killing of two children in the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal provinces over the past couple of days. Moreover, what is of enormous concern is the levels of violence and destruction of property at Ncotshane, Pongola in northern KwaZulu-Natal, during which roads were barricaded and a local church and magistrates' court were burnt down.
The violence in Pongola follows the gruesome killing of a four year old boy, Kiki Ntuli. On 5 July 2014 at about 13h00, Pongola police received a report of a dead body at a church in the Ncontshane area. Upon arrival at the church premises, the members opened a plastic bag which contained human body parts. It is suspected that the body parts were those of a four year old boy who was reported missing on 2 July 2014 in the area. The 51 year old pastor of the church was arrested two days ago for his alleged involvement in the death of the boy.
Aggrieved by this, local community members took to the streets to vent their anger. Given the level of violence, including the destruction of the church, the police intervened and arrested a total of 25 people for malicious damage to property and public violence. Most of the arrested suspects were found in possession of property belonging to the church. Some members of the community then torched the local magistrates' court, demanding the release of the suspect. Police have registered a further case of arson in relation to the destruction of the magistrates' court. Investigations are continuing.
General Phiyega, who is being regularly updated on the situation by the provincial policing authorities, has called for the community of Pongola to remain calm and allow the police to conduct their investigations.
“We fully understand the community’s anger regarding the death of the four year old boy, but taking the law into one’s own hands, and committing crimes in the process, is not helpful at all. It only serves to prompt further police intervention and arrests. I have mandated the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Liutenant General Mammonye Ngobeni, to continue engaging community and religious leaders to ensure calm and, most importantly, that law and order is maintained. Additional efforts must be made to get to the bottom of this brutal murder.
As the SAPS we are angered by the violent killing of this little, innocent child. The manner in which Kiki Ntuli’s life was taken away should never have happened to him, or any human being for that matter. The SAPS will do everything humanly possible to ensure that justice is served in this case as well as the killing of other children,” said General Phiyega.
In yet another senseless killing, 23 year old Nompucuko Mahamo (a family member) was arrested for the brutal murder of a three year old girl in Kutlwanong, Odendaalsrus near Welkom, Free State. It is alleged that Mahamo stabbed the little girl several times.
The National Commissioner has also applauded members of the Free State police on the arrest of Mahamo as well as a 51 year old suspect for the murder of the little girl. Mohamo has appeared in court.
“We call on the respective communities to allow the police to do their work and to offer whatever assistance necessary to ensure successful prosecutions in both matters,” General Phiyega added.
Media enquiries:
Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale
Cell: 082 781 8863
