Western Cape Community Safety and Police Oversight MEC, Reagen Allen, has expressed concerns over what he called a worrying trend over mob justice attack since the last mob killing of an e-hailing driver, Abongile Mafalala earlier this month.
This follows yet another mob justice attack that took place in Kraaifontein Wallacedene over the weekend. According to IOL, a 37-year-old man in the Kraaifontein area was allegedly beaten to death by angry community members who accused him of crime.
Police spokesperson, Captain André Traut said confirmed the incident stating that investigating officers suspect that the victim was beaten to death by community members who accused him of a crime. “Kraaifontein police are investigating the death of a 37-year-old man, following the discovery of a body on the corners of Lincoln Road and First Avenue in Belmont Park, Kraaifontein. The circumstances are being investigated and arrests are yet to be made,” he said.
Allen said such incidents cannot be condoned. “This recent incident highlights a very concerning trend, especially since the last unjustifiable mob killing of Abongile Mafalala. These incidents, like all types of crimes, can never be condoned. Under no circumstances does any person have the right to take the law into their own hands,” he said.
He added that wherever it is suspected that the law was broken, it is a civil duty to contact any law-enforcement agency so that an arrest can occur, allowing police to further investigate the matter and let the court process run its course. “For the 2020/21 financial year, the province recorded 151 cases of murder, directly linked to mob justice. This means there’s been a year-on-year increase of 76 cases in the province.
“We understand that many communities are frustrated and might have a deficit of trust in SAPS, but deciding to effect justice by themselves is just committing another crime,” he said.
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Picture: Cape Town Etc gallery