KEY POINTS
- Authorities urge communities to refrain from taking justice into their own hands.
- A 29-year-old man was killed in an alleged mob attack in North West.
- Police are investigating the incident and seeking public assistance.
Authorities in South Africa are urging communities to avoid taking justice into their own hands after a brutal mob killing in the North West province.
Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Patrick Asaneng has called on residents to allow law enforcement agencies to handle criminal investigations rather than resorting to violence.
This warning comes after the burned body of 29-year-old Lemogang Innocent Tiro was discovered on Tuesday evening in the Gamoetsana section of Dinokana village, near Zeerust.
According to police spokesperson Captain Mpho Manyoba, officers were called to the scene at approximately 6 p.m.
Upon arrival, they found Tiro’s body near his residence, partially burned.
The crime that led to the mob attack
Unconfirmed reports suggest that members of the community accused Tiro of being responsible for the murder of a 37-year-old woman on Sunday, February 2, in the Gamokgatlhe section of Dinokana village.
The woman later succumbed to her injuries at a hospital in Lehurutshe.
The police have not made any arrests regarding these incidents although investigations to identify the culprits continue.
Police are urging anyone with information to come forward by contacting the Lehurutshe Detective Branch Commander, Captain Molefe Letshoo, at 082 373 9682, or by calling Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
People can submit their anonymous tips by using the MySAPS App program.
Police stress legal consequences for vigilante actions
General Asaneng emphasized that mob justice would not be tolerated and that those who take the law into their own hands will face legal consequences.
“Unlawful actions by certain individuals within the community will not be condoned. Those responsible for violent acts will be held accountable under the law,” he said.
According to IOL, heencouraged residents to work alongside the police to combat crime in their communities rather than resorting to vigilante justice, which only fuels further violence.
A similar case was reported in the Eastern Cape in September 2024, when two men were found beaten to death in a grazing field near Mthatha.
Police spokesperson Siphokazi Mawisa said the two were suspected of burglary before being attacked by local residents.
To avoid dangers of mob justice, authorities implore community members to let both due process and legal investigations proceed.
