Cape Town – One man was killed and another seriously injured during two separate mob justice incidents in Ficksburg in the Free State over the weekend.
The men were accused by residents of committing crimes in the community, police said.
In the first incident, at around 02:30am on Sunday, a woman was attacked by a man who tried to rob her with a firearm, said Free State police spokesperson Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring in a statement.
The community came to the woman’s rescue and attacked the 28-year-old suspect, said Mophiring adding that police who responded to the scene found the man in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
“More than 100 community members gathered around him, and a woman who sustained a wound on her forehead alleged she was beaten by a suspect with a firearm.
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“The suspect was arrested and taken to a local hospital for further treatment,” Mophiring said.
He said the suspect was found to be in the country illegally and cases of attempted robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and contravention of the Immigration Act were opened.
In the second incident, another man, 28, succumbed to his injuries following an attack in Extension 11 later on the same day.
“The motive behind is still unknown thus far. A case of murder is being investigated,” said Mophiring.
He warned that mob justice was not a solution to address any form of crimes and urged residents to rather handover suspects to the police.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
