Cape Town – An Eastern Cape police station commander has been arrested for the murder of an alleged criminal who terrorised the community of Lingelethu.
Reports said the victim, Unathi Bhontsi, 33, was killed in an alleged vigilante attack after he was accused of breaking into the police station commander Captain Ayanda Duma’s Lingelethu home and stealing valuables.
According to Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) spokesperson, Robbie Raburabu, the 42-year-old captain has been charged with Bhontsi’s murder, reported IOL.
Raburabu said Duma allegedly killed the male he accused of having broken into his house and stolen a laptop and a cellphone.
“The captain, allegedly assisted by several local Community Police Forum members, rounded up some alleged suspects and the captain allegedly assaulted them.
“After the deceased succumbed to the injuries, his body was dumped on a public road,” Raburabu was quoted as saying.
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According to News24 Duma appeared in the King William’s Town Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, on charges of murder and assault.
The case was postponed to Friday for further investigation.
Family spokesperson Thumeka Bhontsi said the family now lived in fear of the officer, the report said.
“We fear this policeman. We fear that if they let him out of jail, he will come and finish off the rest of the family,” Thumeka was quoted as saying.
She admitted that while her nephew terrorised the community and was involved in crime, the officer could not be allowed to get away with breaking the law.
“He (Duma) cannot take the law into his own hands. We are devastated by his actions and scared that if we speak up, he will come back to crush us,” the report quoted her as saying.
Meanwhile, community members said they will be “free from his (deceased) reign of terror”.
However, Duma’s wife, Sisanda Duma, maintained her husband’s innocence, the report said.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
