NO LICENCE TO KILL

POLICE and authorities are gatvol of vigilante killings innie Kaap after a second mob justice incident in less than a week.

Western Cape police have launched a murder investigation following the discovery of three unknown male bodies that were found uitgebrand in Siqualo informal settlement, Weltevreden Road, Philippi, on Saturday afternoon.

Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said that the incident occurred at around 5.30pm and that the deceased were found set alight.

Traut added: “The South African Police Service condemns vigilantism in the strongest possible terms.

“Acts of mob justice are criminal and pose a direct threat to the safety and stability of our communities.

“No individual or group has the authority to take the law into their own hands, regardless of the circumstances. Such actions undermine the justice system and fuel further violence.

“Detectives are following all available leads to identify the victims and trace those responsible for this brutal crime.

“We urge anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information that could assist the investigation to make contact with the police immediately.”

Western Cape MEC of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, said she has noted that this incident comes on the heels of another mob attack after two suspects were set alight after they allegedly kidnapped, raped and murdered a young vrou in Khayelitsha last Sunday.

Asiphe Hlekwani, 22, was found in a communal toilet facility and the community set two of the three suspects alight and burned them to death in an attack on 9 November.

A murder case was opened for investigation in her death and that of the accused.

Marais said while she understands the community's deep frustration living under the shadow of crime, she strongly condemns any form of vigilantism.

Marais said: “Too often, justice is delayed or, in the most painful cases, never arrives. This reality fuels anger, fear and a sense of hopelessness among communities who simply want to live in safety.

“However, it is deeply concerning and unacceptable when, out of this frustration, community members take the law into their own hands. While the anger is understandable, vigilantism cannot and will never be justified.”

She has urged all residents to report suspicious or criminal activity to the authorities and to use the channels that exist for anonymous reporting.

Ward Councillor Elton-Enrique Jansen told the Daily Voice that he had yet to attend to the matter and said: “I condemn this act of violence against humanity.”

Anyone with information related to this or any other criminal activity is encouraged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111, make use of the MySAPS mobile application, or call the City of Cape Town’s tip-off line on 0800 110 077.

All information shared will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.