Probe into mob attack on Scenery Park youths

CASES of kidnapping and attempted murder have been opened with Scenery Park police after a crowd attacked two youths from the area.

This follows the murder of ward councillor Zandisile Tokwe’s nephew Xolisa Tokwe, who was shot and killed on December 26, allegedly by an associate of the two victims.

Tokwe was elected as Buffalo City councillor in the August 8 local government elections.

His area covers Mzonyana Water Works, Ndancama, Ekuthuleni informal settlement and Haven Hills SRoad area, as well as Scenery Park.

Last Friday the Daily Dispatch ran an article reporting how the victim’s family begged Police Minister Fikile Mbalula to look into Xolisa’s death.

Manelisi Mkaza, 21, and Ondela Witbooi, 22, were allegedly kidnapped from their homes on January 7 by an angry crowd.

Mkaza said he was snatched by more than 18 angry people who came in a minibus taxi while he was taking a nap on his couch.

“They dragged me outside the house while they were punching, kicking, stabbing and swearing at me,” he said.

Mkaza was hospitalised for three days at Frere Hospital with a failed lung as a result of the assault.

“When I heard [about] my son, I went straight to the councillor and pleaded with him to join me in searching for my son,” Mkaza’s father, Thembelani Mkaza, said.

He said he had found his severely injured son at the back of a shack in the area.

East London police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala confirmed the incident and said no one had been arrested.

“The police are continuing with the investigation following leads and no arrests have been made yet.”

The police have condemned the alleged act of vigilantism.

Witbooi, who sustained minor injuries to the face, said he had been head-butted and beaten with sticks.

No comment had been received from councillor Tokwe by the time of going to print.