KEY POINTS
- Police arrested 10 suspects over a mob justice killing in Free State.
- Victim was beaten in front of learners at a school.
- Mob justice killing appears throughout the story.
Ten persons, including the principal of a nearby school, were taken into custody by Free State police on Sunday in connection with the alleged mob justice murder of Mpho Mokoena.
 Police arrest 10 in mob justice killing at school
According to authorities, Mokoena, 27, was kidnapped by members of the community from Namahadi on Friday afternoon and driven to the school grounds in an unmarked private vehicle.
Police said that when they took Mokoena out of the neighborhood and transported him to the school, several of the suspects pretended to be law enforcement.
Before beating him, the suspects allegedly charged Mokoena with stealing food and electrical wires intended for the school’s government-sponsored feeding program.
According to the officers, Mokoena was detained and subjected to sjambok beatings in front of other students who were present at the school.
According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring, some students were present when the victim was reportedly the victim of a public assault by the perpetrators.
After the beating, one of the students tried to wheel Mokoena to safety, but he passed out from his wounds before he could get assistance.
Mophiring stated in a statement that when emergency workers arrived on the scene, they discovered Mokoena’s blanket-covered body outside the school’s boundary.
Upon arrival, responders declared Mokoena dead and promptly reported the incident to law enforcement, which sparked a prompt murder inquiry.
After opening a murder investigation, police started speaking with witnesses, gathering information, and figuring out who was responsible for the assault on the school grounds.
Officers verified that five women and five men are among the ten suspects detained; they are all charged with Mokoena’s murder.
According to authorities, as the investigation progresses and more information from community members, students, and school employees becomes available, more arrests may be made.
Suspects to face court for the mob justice killing
According to Timeslive, on tuesday, the ten defendants are scheduled to appear before the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court to be charged with murder.
While stressing that only the legal system should legitimately handle criminal claims, police denounced the incident and advised people to refrain from vigilantism.
The case, according to officials, emphasizes the perils of mob justice as well as the necessity of public confidence in appropriate legal and law enforcement procedures.
