A murder investigation is underway in Khayelitsha after residents allegedly took matters into their own hands in a mob justice attack on Wednesday.
It is alleged that a man was killed in Graceland in an apparent mob justice incident after he allegedly robbed members in the community.
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said: “Lingelethu-West police registered a murder case following the discovery of the body of an unidentified male on 4 February at about 7.30am at Level Two, Walter Sisulu Street, Lingelethu-West , Khayelitsha.
“The deceased was found lying in the street on his side with multiple blunt force trauma all over his body and head. A tyre with steel wire was also found on the scene.
“The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation and arrests are yet to be made.
Van Wyk went on to condemn the mob attack.
He said: “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."
When Independent Media journalists arrived on the scene on Wednesday morning, people were too afraid to speak about the incident.
Local ward councillor Mthwalo Mkutswana said that he cannot confirm the circumstances surrounding the incident and said that Graceland was a relatively quiet neighbourhood.
Mkutswana explained: “I was informed of the incident, but what caused it I do not know.
“At the time of the incident, I was in a meeting and did not get the full details but I found out by a committee member who passed the scene, they found out that this person was allegedly robbing people.
“I do not know why they (the community) decided to do such a thing.”
“There was no criminality in that area which I am aware of but this one is something I do not know how it happened, maybe the deceased was messing with the people there, we do not know for sure. Sometimes people react in a different way and then we do not know that people are getting robbed.”
“Graceland is a very quiet area. There is an informal settlement close by and I never had any issues in that area before but I will find out the full story of what happened.”
This is the fourth mob justice incident in the Cape townships since November.
On Sunday, 9 November, members of the community in Khayelitsha Site B beat and burned two men they believed had kidnapped, raped and murdered 22-year-old Asiphe Hlekwani in communal toilet.
The Daily Voice reported on 17 November, that Western Cape police launched a murder investigation following the discovery of three unknown male bodies that were found uitgebrand in Siqualo informal settlement, Weltevreden Road, Philippi
And last month, a 25-year-old man was allegedly caught in the act of committing a robbery and then set alight by a group of residents in Browns Farm.
At the time, Western Cape MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais has condemned acts of vigilantism and urged residents to report any criminal activity to authorities.
Information about this incident can be provided anonymously via Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or through the MySAPS mobile application. All information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.