North West Premier Thandi Modise condemns Freedom Park mob killings
North West Premier Thandi Modise has condemned the alleged killing of three people whose properties were also torched at the Freedom Park Informal Settlement in Rustenburg.
“We condemn, in the strongest terms possible, vigilantism as it leads to lawlessness and revenge attacks by persons who feel aggrieved by the actions of those who conduct kangaroo courts and give themselves the roles of judges and executioners,” Premier Modise said.
Modise called on the public report crime to authorities in the criminal justice system instead of taking the law into their own hands.
She said that vigilantism creates a cycle of violence that undermines the rule of law. According to police, two men were shot and injured, allegedly by two Lesotho nationals, at a tavern in the area on Saturday.
Brigadier Thulane Ngubane said that the wounded men were taken to a nearby hospital. One of the foreigners was then caught by a mob on Sunday. He was taken to a tavern and burnt alive, said Ngubane.
The second Lesotho man was also caught and stripped naked by the mob. He tried to escape by running into a neighbour's shack but was caught and murdered. Both foreigners were found with stab wounds, Ngubane said. Five thousand people, on Monday, went to a local businessman who they suspected of harbouring the Lesotho men and other criminals.
“The crowd allegedly looted his shop, burnt his properties including a house as well as vehicles, and killed him,” said Ngubane.
Several shacks were also torched. Police were deployed to stabilise the situation in the area. A firearm with five rounds of live ammunition and one spent cartridge casing was seized from the crowd, said Ngubane. No arrests were made and police were investigating.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Spokesperson
Cell: 083 629 1987
Tel: 018 388 3705
Fax: 018 388 3157
Email: LKgwele@gmail.com
