Durban — Residents in Inanda in the north of Durban have demanded that the 12 suspects arrested for the murder of five people in the area, should be released.
Police confirmed that five mutilated bodies were found on two sports fields in Inanda on Friday in what was a devastating scene. Police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, said the victims were alleged to be between 19 and 26 and were kidnapped from their homes before being killed. One victim’s arm was chopped off.
Since the discovery of the bodies, Netshiunda confirmed that 12 people were arrested and believed to be part of the community policing forum. He said the suspects are still being processed and their details as well as their first court appearance will be known in due course, Newzroom Afrika reported.
“We used investigative techniques to uncover the faces of the suspects and quickly connect them. Firstly it was eight, and later on, we got four to make it 12. We still believe there could be more behind these murders because these suspects are believed to be part of a community policing forum,” he said.
He said community members should join their CPFs to help fight crime with the police and police were not against fighting crime, but they should not take the law into their own hands.
“Taking the law into their own hands constitutes a crime and police will act on those crimes,” he said.
[WATCH] KZN police have confirmed the arrest of 12 people who are alleged to be part of a community policing forum linked to a mob that killed 5 people in Inanda and dumped them on a sports field near a school in the area. Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda says more… pic.twitter.com/S2XR9MEkvR
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) January 17, 2025
According to SABC News, the residents in Inanda have called for the arrested suspects to be released as they believe the victims of the crime are well-known criminals.
“I am not sure who did this or not but I do have suspicions that it is community anger and said ‘No, enough is enough, we are tired of what is happening right now'”, CPF member, Mbongweni Phewa said.
The residents explain why they want the suspects to be released.
“All we want is for the police to release those they have arrested. We started addressing our concerns with the police last year, but they have not done enough to fight crime in this area. We are surprised that when the community is fighting back, the police protect criminals. The five people who were hacked are well-known criminals. They were committing all sorts of heinous crimes including raping and murder,” they said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
