Mob justice is becoming a way of life for residents in the Vhembe region, where many suspected criminals get maimed or even killed by angry residents who are fed-up with the constant crime in the area and the police's apparent incapacity to do anything about it.
In one of the latest incidents, a suspect, John Ngobeni, was assaulted and burnt to death by such a mob. The incident happened at Ha-Mashau Thondoni on Sunday evening.
Residents allegedly caught up with Ngobeni, whom they accused of raping his girlfriend's daughter and then setting the girl's father's house on fire. They also accuse him of being the mastermind behind crime in the area.
Residents blame the police for being much too lenient with criminals, who get arrested just to be released again within a short time. One of the community leaders, who preferred anonymity, said crime in the area was at an all-time high. "We are very concerned as a community, but we are sending out a warning to would-be criminals not to dare venture into our village, as their safety will not be guaranteed. The community is angry, and the police will not always be there to protect them," he said.
Limpopo police spokesperson Lt Col Malesela Ledwaba said the latest incident was a source of great concern to the police. "We have launched a massive manhunt for a group of community members who have brutally murdered a man. The suspects are unknown and there has been no arrest made yet. Police investigations are continuing," he said.
Acting Provincial Police Commissioner Maj Gen Jan Scheepers has reiterated his call to members of the community to refrain from taking the law into their own hands. "When people come across or know the whereabouts of a suspect, or witness a person committing a crime, they must conduct a citizen's arrest without harming or killing the suspect, or just call the police, who will come out and arrest the suspect," Scheepers said.