Port Elizabeth police are investigating a spate of mob justice attacks which left two people dead and one person critically injured at Soweto On Sea over the weekend.
Police spokesperson, Captain Andre Beetge, said the first incident unfolded on Friday at the Jijana Grounds in Soweto On Sea when Phakamile Khwesaba, 33, was allegedly attacked by a group of about 100 people.
Beetge said Khwesaba was stoned and set alight with flammable substances and tyres.
“He was admitted to Dora Nginza Hospital in a critical condition with very serious burn wounds,” said Beetge.
Beetge said in follow up incidents on Sunday, at around 13:30, Siphesihle Kala, 20, was stoned and set alight with flammable substances and tyres in a street in Jijana grounds. He died as a result of the attack.
“Two hours later, at about 15:15, the brother of Siphesihle Kala, 23-year-old Anele Kala was chased and stabbed to death by a group of attackers after he was spotted walking in a street close by the scene where his brother was killed.”
Beetge said in all three incidents the community alleged that the men were attacked due to being house robbers, however community members were not prepared to make formal statements to police.
Motherwell Cluster Commander, Major General Dawie Rabie, has ordered that community structures be mobilised to actively engage with the community to discourage communities or individuals from taking the law in their own hands.
No arrests have been made and police are appealing to anyone who can assist with the investigation to contact Kwazakhele SAPS.
– African News Agency (ANA)
