Mob justice is not an answer to resolving crime, warns Minister Mthethwa
04 Nov 2013
There is no justification whatsoever in acts of mob justice by members of communities and perpetrators of such crimes will face the full might of the law.
This is a strong warning from the Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa, in the wake of mob justice incidents in Khutsong, Gauteng last night in which six people were attacked and killed for allegedly being involved in gangsterism.
"The challenges of crime facing Khutsong are not unique to many other communities across our country, yet in most communities we see law-abiding citizens partnering with police in eradicating the scourge of crime. Many of these communities do not resort to lawlessness or become arm-chair critics instead take proactive steps, including supporting and working with police. We appreciate such cooperation and urge Khutsong residents to follow such approaches because this is the only effective solution."
"We strongly warn the perpetrators of such disturbing incidents because mob justice is unjustifiable. You cannot resolve crime through committing crime, it is simply unacceptable," added the Minister.
According to reports from Gauteng provincial police, it is alleged that yesterday, Sunday 3 November 2013 approximately 400 Khutsong male community members gathered for a meeting on an open field in Extension 1 in the area.
The meeting was to discuss the issue of gangsterism and flyers were distributed before the meeting. Shortly after the meeting commenced they split into smaller groups, one of the groups proceeded to a house in Extension 3, attacked a 61 year old traditional healer and set him and his house alight; he died as a result of injuries.
Splinter groups went and searched for known gangsters in the community. In Extension 4 phase 2, the group allegedly grabbed two men aged between 20 - 24 years old, who belong to the Casanova gang. They assaulted the two and set them alight. They died at the scene.
They then proceeded to Extension 5, Carltonville and assaulted various alleged gangsters they encountered on the street. Two alleged gang members were stoned, one died on the scene and the other at the Carltonville Hospital. A sixth body was discovered this morning.
"What is really worrying is the fact that the perpetrators of such acts are often perceived as heroes by some members of communities when such barbaric killings take place. Police are in hot pursuit of these so-called ‘heroes' because there is nothing heroic when you burn and kill people."
"As government we shall never tolerate kangaroo courts that are illegally convened and decide the fate of other people's lives. That is criminality and nothing else. The task of society is to report those who commit crime to the police and in turn police will apprehend them," stressed the Minister.
According to our provincial team, police vehicles that responded to the calls were stoned and damaged. No injuries were reported to any of the SAPS members. Police have increased visibility in the area and also called in the assistance from the Public Order Policing Unit to stabilise the area. Currently the area is volatile and police are patrolling.
Statement issued by Zweli Mnisi, Spokesperson to the Minister of Police, November 4 2013
Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter
