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Left for dead, the two alleged criminals lay unconscious after the severe beating.

Mob justice in Vhembe is just a way of life

 

Mob justice is fast becoming a way of life in Vhembe, with many alleged criminals feeling the wrath of communities. In some instances, alleged robbers are killed to avenge their alleged crimes, while the lucky ones escape with their lives but are often badly injured.

In recent times, there have been incidents of mob justice at villages such as Mbilwi, where a man was attacked and killed by the community. His accomplice had the police to thank as they arrived on time to save him.

Some few weeks ago, another alleged criminal was killed at Tshifura in the Sibasa area after being accused by the community of being behind a spate of crimes in Makwarela and surrounding areas. Two months ago, another man was killed at Makhuvha outside Thohoyandou. His accomplice was lucky to escape with his life. The two were part of a group accused of terrorising the community in the area.

These are but a few examples of the ongoing onslaught against criminals by the communities.

Just this weekend, while a seminar about mob justice was taking place at the old parliament buildings in Thohoyandou, two men in Vuwani who were accused of a spate of robberies, theft, attacks on residents and other crimes, were given a taste of their own medicine when angry community members beat and nearly killed them.

The two, a 25-year old who is alleged to be a known jailbird who has just been released from prison and a 17-year-old youth are, said to be behind a spate of criminal activities in the area. The last straw was on Friday when they allegedly threatened patrons at two local taverns with firearms.

The following day, angry residents gathered together and began a manhunt for the two. They rounded up one of them, who tried to run away by crossing a small river in the village, but villagers caught up with him and beat him mercilessly. It is said that the man later confessed and he allegedly led residents to one of his partners in crime.

A large quantity of stolen goods, including laptops stolen from local schools, computers and many other items, were recovered during the event. Residents were still not satisfied as the two did not show them the firearms. The two were badly beaten and left for dead in the scorching heat.

Only the timely arrival of the police saved the two from certain death. Mr Alex Ndou, chairperson of the community policing forum and a member of the local royal council, said there was a lot of crime in the area that needed residents to work in close cooperation with the police. “Ugly situations like these could be averted if criminals are locked away for a long time. Residents are angry, but we made an appeal that we do not take the law into our own hands." He added that, during a recent community meeting, they had decided to work with suspects to recover stolen items without having to harm them, and it was working.

"Together, as residents and the police, we can clean our villages of crime. Criminals live in our midst and we have to expose them and they will have no place to hide," he said.

A member of the community who happened to pass by the scene and preferred to remain anonymous said it was good that the two were beaten. “These criminals think they can do as they wish in the community. We are tired of crime and the rule of law is taking us nowhere. Beating or killing them will send a strong message out there that whoever wants to indulge in crime should think twice before doing that,” she said.

Dr Alunamutwe Randitsheni, a well-known cleric and researcher on ritual murders, came out strongly against mob justice. "This was used in the past dispensantion, but as we move on in this new order, it has become irrelevant and communities need to change their mindset. If a person has done wrong, the suspect should be handed over to the police, because if we take the law into our own hands even innocent people will suffer."

Vuwani police spokesperson Const Thomas Thovhakale confirmed the incident and condemned the action by the community members. "Residents should not take the law into their own hands, but when confronted with such situations, they should give the police space to work. Theirs is to help the police with information because if they take the law into their own hands, they are equally guilty of an offence."

He added that the police had opened an attempted-murder case, following the attack on the two men. Shortly before our going to press, the paper received a message that another man was reportedly killed by the community at Khubvi on Monday afternoon, after he and his friends were accused of crime in the area. 

News - Date: 23 November 2015

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In agony, one of the alleged criminals tries to lift up his head.

 

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Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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